Catalysis Scientist Specialist

Braskem • Pittsburgh, PA

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

Braskem is seeking a motivated scientist to support research and development activities within its Global Catalysis organization. The organization discovers and develops catalytic solutions that support strategic goals in bio-based chemicals, specialty products, and polyolefins catalysis. The successful candidate will bring a strong foundation in heterogeneous catalysis and catalyst development, gained through doctoral research and/or early industrial practice, and will contribute to catalyst synthesis, characterization, testing, and technology development in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across research, engineering, analytical sciences, and manufacturing.

The role is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, within Innovation & Technology, and is hybrid with less than 25% travel. The scientist will plan and perform laboratory research, assess catalyst performance and experimental data, contribute to scale-up and technology transfer, communicate project findings, and support intellectual property development. Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

Requirements

• Strong technical foundation in heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst synthesis, and characterization.
• Ability to independently plan and execute experimental work, analyze complex datasets, and communicate technical findings effectively.
• Curiosity, initiative, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Experience with catalyst development through doctoral research, postdoctoral work, or early industrial experience is preferred; catalyst synthesis, characterization, and reactor testing experience is highly desirable.
• Fundamental understanding of heterogeneous catalysis and catalyst structure-performance relationships.
• Experience designing and conducting laboratory experiments, including catalyst screening and reactor testing.
• Strong data-analysis and technical problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical results clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong safety mindset and commitment to laboratory excellence.
• Enthusiasm for learning, innovation, and continuous professional development.
• Must be currently eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Zero to five years of industrial and/or postdoctoral experience in catalysis research and development.
• Hands-on experience with zeolite synthesis or other porous-material synthesis techniques.
• Familiarity with post-synthesis modification of zeolites and porous materials, including ion exchange, steaming, dealumination, desilication, or related methods.
• Experience with catalyst preparation and metal deposition methods such as incipient wetness impregnation, wet impregnation, ion exchange, or deposition-precipitation.
• Familiarity with catalyst characterization techniques such as XRD, BET surface area analysis, TPD, TPR, chemisorption, SEM, TEM, ICP, XRF, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, and solid-state NMR, or similar methods.
• Knowledge of reaction engineering, kinetics, reactor design, or process development.
• Exposure to scale-up, manufacturing support, or technology transfer activities.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to catalysis research projects to develop new catalysts and processes, improve process performance, and enable new product development.
• Design and execute experimental programs for synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of heterogeneous catalysts.
• Analyze experimental data and relate catalyst properties to catalytic performance.
• Support laboratory-scale development of zeolite-based and metal-supported catalyst systems.
• Prepare catalysts through synthesis, modification, shaping, and metal deposition.
• Assist with catalyst scale-up and technology transfer in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation communicating project results and recommendations.
• Collaborate with process engineering, analytical sciences, manufacturing, and business stakeholders.
• Contribute ideas for catalyst concepts, experimental approaches, and research methodologies.
• Participate in technology exchanges and knowledge-sharing across the Global Catalysis organization.
• Support intellectual property development through invention disclosures, patent support, and documentation of technical advances.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safety, laboratory excellence, and continuous learning.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement benefits.
• Maternity and paternity leave.
• Life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Teladoc.
• Voluntary benefits including pet insurance and legal and identity theft insurance.
• Flexible work schedules, including 9/80 schedules for eligible team members.
• Competitive pay package and a total rewards package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree