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Protein Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eagle

Project Chemist (Mass Spectrometry)

Houston, TX · On-site

Perform routine LC-MS based assays including peptide mapping, intact mass analysis and protein ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field

Twist Bioscience

Protein Scientist

Portland, OR

D. in Protein Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field, or M.S. with 2-5 years of relevant industry experience. * Strong hands-on experience in protein purification and ...

Twist Bioscience

Protein Scientist

Portland, OR · On-site

D. in Protein Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field, or M.S. with 2-5 years of relevant industry experience. * Strong hands-on experience in protein purification and ...

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Protein Chemist information

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How much do protein chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for protein chemist in the United States is $30.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a protein chemist do?

A protein chemist is a scientist who studies the structure, function, and interactions of proteins. Their work often involves isolating, purifying, and analyzing proteins using techniques such as chromatography, electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry. Protein chemists play a key role in developing pharmaceuticals, understanding diseases, and advancing biotechnology by manipulating proteins for various applications. They may work in academic research, pharmaceutical companies, or biotechnology firms. Their expertise is essential in fields like drug discovery, diagnostics, and agricultural science.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Protein Chemist, and why are they important?

A Protein Chemist requires strong expertise in protein purification, characterization, and analytical techniques, supported by an advanced degree in biochemistry, chemistry, or a related field. Familiarity with chromatography systems, mass spectrometry, and software for data analysis is typically essential, along with knowledge of laboratory safety protocols. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are important soft skills that set top professionals apart. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate experimental results, driving research innovation, and contributing to successful scientific collaboration.

What is the difference between Protein Chemist vs Biochemist?

AspectProtein ChemistBiochemist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field; lab experienceBachelor's or Master's in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field; lab experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firmsResearch labs, healthcare, academic institutions
Industry UsageFocuses on protein structure, function, and interactionsStudies broader biochemical processes, including proteins, enzymes, and metabolic pathways

Protein Chemists and Biochemists often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, Protein Chemists specialize specifically in proteins, their structures, and functions, while Biochemists study a wider range of biochemical processes. Both roles are vital in research and development within biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

What are some common challenges a Protein Chemist faces when expressing and purifying novel proteins?

Protein Chemists often encounter difficulties with low protein yield, aggregation, or instability during the expression and purification of novel proteins. These challenges require troubleshooting expression systems, optimizing purification protocols, and sometimes engineering the protein sequence for solubility. Collaboration with molecular biologists and analytical teams is key to overcoming these obstacles, as is staying current with new techniques and technologies in protein science.
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What states have the most Protein Chemist jobs? States with the most job openings for Protein Chemist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Protein Chemist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Protein Chemist jobs are:
Protein Chemist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protein Chemist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,466 per year, or $31 per hour.
Senior Chemist Protein Technology

Senior Chemist Protein Technology

Tri-K Industries, Inc.

Denville, NJ • On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Tri-K Industries is a leading supplier of natural actives—including proteins, peptides, and a comprehensive cosmetic ingredients portfolio—to the global personal care industry. Our state-of-the-art R&D center features advanced equipment and testing facilities. To strengthen our innovation capabilities and maximize customer connectivity, our R&D organization focuses on developing novel ideas, cutting-edge products, and high-efficacy formulations. This senior-level R&D position is based at our facility in Derry, NH.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced, and innovative Protein Chemist to join our team. The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. in Chemistry or at least 3 years of experience in in protein isolation, peptide synthesis, modification, and comprehensive analytical characterization. This role is pivotal in driving our next generation of personal care technologies from concept to commercial launch.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Protocol Development: Design, optimize, and scale robust protein and peptide purification protocols.
  • Analytical Characterization: Characterize and analyze biomolecules using advanced techniques, including HPLC, SDS-PAGE, and LC-MS.
  • Chemical Modification: Execute chemical reactions to implement strategic peptide and protein modifications.
  • Stability & Formulation: Conduct rigorous stability studies and develop target formulations to optimize protein shelf-life and efficacy.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal scientists, Technical Marketing, and Sales to build functional blends, support line extensions, and validate marketing claims.
  • Market & Tech Intelligence: Evaluate published literature, patents (ensuring "freedom to operate"), competitor positioning, and academic research to identify emerging skin/hair technologies.
  • Commercial Support: Provide rapid, succinct technical guidance to the Technical Services and Regulatory teams to resolve complex customer inquiries.
  • Lab Stewardship: Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot critical laboratory instrumentation while mentoring junior staff.
  • Reporting: Document findings in technical reports and deliver compelling presentations to both internal stakeholders and external clients.

Required Core Competencies

  • Advanced Protein Expertise: Deep understanding of protein/peptide behavior to successfully isolate, modify, and purify actives from complex natural matrices.
  • Project Management: Proven ability to develop project plans, prioritize workflows, and deliver milestones on time and within budget.
  • Strategic Thinker: Ability to translate consumer and market trends into viable, innovative technical pipelines.
  • Cross-Functional Agility: Comfort working fluidly across R&D, sales, regulatory, and corporate matrix environments.
  • Problem Solving: Strong analytical acumen to navigate ambiguous technical challenges where limited standardization exists

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Education and Experience
    • Option A: Ph.D. in Protein/Peptide Chemistry, or a closely related field.
    • Option B: Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a minimum of 3–5 years of industrial experience in peptide synthesis, characterization, and purification.
  • Language and Communication Skills
    • Ability to interpret complex scientific periodicals, patents, professional journals, and regulatory guidelines.
    • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills tailored for technical peers, executive management, and external clients.
  • Computer & Software Skills
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and specialized laboratory data analysis software.
    • Familiarity with bioinformatics and structural databases, including NCBI BLAST and the RCSB Protein Data Bank (PDB).
  • Physical Demands & Travel
    • On-Site Requirement: This position requires working on-site at the Derry, NH R&D center 5 days a week.
    • Travel: Up to 15% domestic and international travel (including overnight stays) to support business development efforts and attend industry trade shows