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Research Scientist Catalysis Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Dayhoff Labs

AI Research Scientist

Cambridge, MA · On-site

If we succeed, the applications are vast: from catalysis and green synthesis to ab initio synthetic ... bench scientists. We hold ourselves to the rigor of a research institute, but we ship like an ...

Dayhoff Labs

AI Research Scientist

Cambridge, MA · On-site

If we succeed, the applications are vast: from catalysis and green synthesis to ab initio synthetic ... bench scientists. We hold ourselves to the rigor of a research institute, but we ship like an ...

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Research Scientist Catalysis information

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$50.5K

$130.1K

$174K

How much do research scientist catalysis jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for research scientist catalysis in the United States is $130,117.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research scientist catalysis?

Research Scientist Catalysis are professionals who study and develop catalytic processes to accelerate chemical reactions. They work in laboratories to discover new catalysts, improve existing ones, and apply their findings to industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, and environmental science. Their work often involves designing experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with other scientists and engineers to create more efficient and sustainable chemical processes.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a research scientist catalysis?

To thrive as a Research Scientist in Catalysis, you need a strong background in chemistry or chemical engineering, with expertise in catalysis mechanisms and typically a Ph.D. in a related field. Familiarity with analytical instruments (such as GC-MS, NMR), catalysis modeling software, and laboratory safety protocols is essential. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative communication distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies drive innovative research, effective experimentation, and successful teamwork in developing advanced catalytic processes.

What challenges do research scientists catalysis typically face, and how are they addressed within a team?

A Research Scientist in catalysis often encounters challenges such as optimizing reaction conditions, interpreting complex data, and scaling up catalytic processes from lab to pilot scale. These challenges are typically addressed through close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including chemists, engineers, and analytical specialists. Regular team meetings, access to advanced instrumentation, and shared databases help facilitate problem-solving and knowledge exchange, enabling rapid troubleshooting and innovation.

What is the difference between Research Scientist Catalysis vs Research Scientist Chemical Engineering?

AspectResearch Scientist CatalysisResearch Scientist Chemical Engineering
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldsMaster's or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on catalysis, chemical reactions, and material testingLaboratories and industrial settings involving process design and optimization
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, renewable energy companiesManufacturing, process industries, and chemical production companies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles related to catalysis researchExploring chemical process research roles

Research Scientist Catalysis and Research Scientist Chemical Engineering share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, catalysis roles focus specifically on chemical reactions involving catalysts, often in energy and materials sectors, while chemical engineering roles encompass broader process design and optimization across various industries.

What states have the most Research Scientist Catalysis jobs?

States with the most job openings for Research Scientist Catalysis jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Research Scientist Catalysis jobs?

For Research Scientist Catalysis jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Research Scientist Catalysis job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,117 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Research Scientist, Quantum Chemistry

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Dayhoff Labs
See more jobs at Dayhoff Labsexternal

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

About us
We're reverse-engineering the origin of life - one of the great unsolved problems in science, and one we think AI finally makes tractable. We believe that understanding this transition, from geochemistry to biochemistry, will let us orchestrate molecular networks and build systems that are more capable, adaptive, efficient, and intelligent.
If we succeed, the applications are vast: from catalysis and green synthesis to ab initio synthetic biology and programmable matter. Understanding and harnessing these processes could let ten billion of us thrive on this planet, and let us dream that diverse life keeps evolving and thriving beyond it.
We're a small, diverse team of AI engineers, computational scientists, and bench scientists. We hold ourselves to the rigor of a research institute, but we ship like an engineering firm. Global team, HQs in Cambridge, MA and London, UK.
The role
You'll turn quantum-chemistry calculations into kinetic datasets and mechanistic insight our ML models can actually train on. You'll study reaction mechanisms across homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzymatic systems, and build the protocols that make that data reliable at scale.
What you'll do
  • Run DFT and post-HF calculations to study kinetics and mechanism, primarily in homogeneous catalysis
  • Build and benchmark reproducible protocols for kinetic data generation, with real uncertainty quantification
  • Design kinetic datasets for ML training and validation, and set data-quality standards with ML collaborators
  • Extend these methods systematically across catalytic systems and reaction conditions

Essential experience
  • PhD in computational or theoretical chemistry with a catalysis focus, and first-author papers on catalytic mechanisms
  • Fluency with a production quantum-chemistry package (Gaussian, ORCA, or similar)
  • Sound DFT judgment for transition-metal systems: functional choice, basis sets, dispersion corrections
  • Hands-on kinetics: transition-state location, IRC, rate constants, free-energy and thermodynamic analysis
  • Python and the computational-chemistry stack (ASE, cclib, RDKit)

Highly preferred
  • First-author work in homogeneous-catalysis kinetics
  • Heterogeneous (periodic DFT, surfaces, adsorption) or enzyme catalysis
  • Advanced methods for hard systems: DLPNO-CCSD(T), CASPT2, multireference approaches
  • High-throughput workflows, HPC, and automation
  • Uncertainty quantification and protocol benchmarking
  • Dataset design and prior collaboration with ML teams

Logistics
Compensation is highly competitive. We're also able to sponsor visas for the right candidate.

Apply