Senior Research Scientist - Process Chemistry

10h10 hours ago

ADM

Decatur, US · Full-time · $90,000 – $144,200

About this role

The Process Chemistry Group within ADM Research and Development has an opening for a Senior Research Scientist in Decatur, Illinois. The role carries out and leads chemical process research projects tied to new and ongoing products plus process optimization. It interacts with production, engineering, other research groups, suppliers, and contractors.

Daily work centers on developing experimental plans, applying process optimization principles, and designing DOE studies. The scientist synthesizes, isolates, and purifies compounds using appropriate techniques while acquiring and interpreting analytical data. Literature and patent research supports project direction and opportunity identification.

The position requires mastery of laboratory reactor systems, data-acquisition software, and a wide range of analytical instrumentation including NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, and FT-IR. Collaboration across teams drives process transfer to manufacturing while maintaining laboratory organization, safety compliance, and clear communication with colleagues and external partners.

This role offers opportunities to lead projects and expand into broader leadership responsibilities within the organization. The candidate applies organic reaction mechanisms, structure elucidation, and scalable purification techniques to deliver impact on existing programs and new initiatives.

Requirements

Ph.D. in chemistry or chemical engineering, with 5-10 years of experience in process scale-up in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry
Demonstrated expertise in the design and execution of experimental plans for evaluation and optimization of diverse chemical processes
Experience in specialized and/or high pressure/temperature reactor design and operation is preferred
Ability to design, set up, operate and maintain lab and pilot equipment
Knowledge and experience with wide range of analytical instrumentation especially NMR, HPLC, GC, GC-MS, LC-MS, FT-IR, and UV-Vis
Knowledge of safe hazardous material handling and hazard communication requirements and procedures
Working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

Develop experimental plans independently and in collaboration with the Process Chemistry Group Manager to accomplish project goals
Apply process optimization principles to identify and implement process improvements
Design and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) studies
Synthesize, isolate, and purify compounds, intermediates, and derivatives using appropriate techniques
Acquire and interpret analytical and physical data to assess compound identity and purity
Master set up, maintenance, and operation of laboratory reactor systems and data-acquisition software for continuous and batch reactions
Generate, analyze, and interpret experimental data using scientific and statistical methods
Collaborate across teams to develop and transfer processes to manufacturing