Researcher - Polyolefin Catalyst Development

Department: Innovation & Technology

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Travel Involved: Less than 10%

Job Type: Hybrid 

Description:

Braskem is looking for a highly motivated Researcher to join the U.S. Polyolefin Catalysis team at the Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh. The role involves contributing to the discovery, development, and scale-up of heterogeneous polyolefin catalysts, translating business needs into innovative or improved catalyst solutions. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong background in Ziegler-Natta catalyst development and polymerization reaction engineering.

The candidate will work with the Global Catalysis team to understand business requirements and develop new catalyst programs to support product innovation, boost performance, or enhance existing technologies. Responsibilities include conducting freedom-to-operate (FTO) and technology landscape assessments to identify opportunities and inform catalyst discovery strategies.

The role requires hands-on catalyst synthesis, planning polymerization experiments, evaluating catalyst performance, and analyzing polymerization results and characterization data to understand structure-performance relationships and guide further development. Additionally, the researcher will assist in catalyst scale-up and technology transfer from laboratory to pilot and industrial stages, collaborating with global research, engineering, analytical, pilot, manufacturing, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities Include: 

• Demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to Braskem’s safety with strong knowledge of safe laboratory practices, including proper handling of hazardous, air-sensitive, and pyrophoric chemicals, chemical storage, waste disposal, and SDS requirements.
• Participate in project teams conducting catalyst research and develop and implement comprehensive technical project plans.
• Plan and initiate independent research programs in support of business and technology goals.
• Identify catalyst technology opportunities based on business needs and contribute to the development of new catalyst concepts and research programs.
• Conduct literature, patent, technology landscape, and Freedom to Operate (FTO) analyses to support catalyst discovery, guide technology development, and identify potential intellectual property opportunities. ·
• Take full ownership of hands-on catalyst synthesis, including developing synthesis plans, safely handling catalyst precursors and reagents, executing catalyst preparation procedures, troubleshooting synthesis challenges, and maintaining accurate experimental records.
• Plan polymerization experiments, evaluate catalyst performance, and analyze polymerization results together with catalyst and polymer characterization data to guide further catalyst development.
• Support catalyst technology scale-up and technology transfer from laboratory development through pilot and manufacturing implementation, including technical troubleshooting as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of heterogeneous catalysis, polyolefin catalyst technologies, polymerization science, and relevant scientific and technical developments.
• Build and expand Braskem’s core catalyst technology through new scientific discovery, external collaboration, and development of intellectual property.
• Transfer technical knowledge through presentations, technical reports, and day-to-day collaboration with fellow researchers, chemists, engineers, and technicians.
• Train and mentor fellow researchers, chemists, and technicians in catalyst preparation, laboratory techniques, data interpretation, and safe experimental practices.
• Work effectively as a collaborative team member within the U.S. and Global Catalysis teams.
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills
  

Requirements:

• The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymer Science with some postdoctoral or industrial experience in catalyst synthesis, discovery, and development.
• Experience in Ziegler-Natta catalyst synthesis for polyethylene and polypropylene is preferred.
• The candidate should possess strong hands-on skills in synthetic chemistry, catalyst preparation, reaction planning, troubleshooting, and handling hazardous chemicals, including inert-atmosphere techniques.
• A solid understanding of heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst characterization, and structure-performance relationships is essential.
• Skills in olefin polymerization, reaction engineering, problem-solving, teamwork, and excellent communication are also required.

Preferred Skills, Education, and Experience: 

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science
• Less than 10 years of post-Ph.D. industrial and/or postdoctoral experience in catalyst synthesis, discovery, and development.
• Strong preference for candidates with experience in Ziegler-Natta catalyst synthesis and development for polyethylene and/or polypropylene
• Strong safety mindset
• Strong focus on mentoring
• Track record of working in a team environment
• Strong technical/problem solving aptitude
• Initiative, a drive for results, and ability to solve complex problems by identifying and enrolling appropriate resources
• Must be team- and results-oriented with the ability to lead and implement new technology improvements.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills