Chemist

Job Title: Chemist

Job Description

This Chemist role focuses on preparing and analyzing samples for advanced materials, including electrochemical energy storage materials, nanomaterials, and catalysts, using a wide range of modern analytical and materials characterization techniques. The chemist provides technical expertise to support both research and scale‑up processes, ensures accurate and timely reporting of analytical results, and maintains, calibrates, and improves laboratory instrumentation and procedures. The position offers the opportunity to work in a leading research environment, contribute to published scientific work, and gain extensive hands-on experience in the biochemical and advanced materials industry.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, characterize, and analyze samples from research and development and scale‑up processes for advanced materials, including electrochemical energy storage materials, nanomaterials, catalysts, and related substances.
• Conduct complex, multi‑instrument analyses on a daily basis, ensuring that samples are analyzed in a timely manner and that results are reported promptly to support process improvement and decision‑making.
• Operate and apply expert‑level analytical techniques such as ICP‑MS, ICP‑OES, XRD, TGA/DSC, SEM‑EDS, ion beam milling, microwave sample digestion, and other relevant methods as needed.
• Perform routine and advanced troubleshooting of analytical and materials characterization instruments to resolve technical issues and minimize downtime.
• Conduct routine maintenance and calibration of analytical instruments, including scheduling and coordinating manufacturer technical support for annual preventive maintenance and maintaining service contracts where applicable.
• Develop, write, and periodically update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety documentation for instrument operation and sample handling, revising these documents at least annually or when new protocols or sample materials are introduced.
• Write and maintain safety plans for laboratory work, ensuring that all procedures align with current safety standards and best practices.
• Train new users and operators on selected instruments, ensuring they understand correct operating procedures, safety requirements, and data quality expectations.
• Monitor instrument use by trained operators, maintain instrument usage logs, and verify that proper procedures are followed consistently.
• Prepare and update laboratory paperwork, including safety documentation, SOPs, and related operational records, to keep documentation current and compliant.
• Perform analytical testing using techniques such as GC, HPLC, GC‑MS, ICP, pH measurements, and related methods as part of routine and project‑based laboratory work.
• Use Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel to document and report analytical results, perform basic data analysis, track samples and instrument usage, and support effective communication within the team.
• Work safely in the laboratory at all times, following established safety protocols, using appropriate protective measures, and contributing to a strong safety culture.
• Collaborate with researchers, interns, and postdoctoral scientists to support experimental design, sample analysis, data interpretation, and the advancement of research projects.
• Contribute to scientific outputs by generating high‑quality, reliable data that may support co‑authorship on publications and other scholarly work.
• Provide occasional support for off‑site sample collection, including short trips to other facilities to assist with collecting and handling samples.
• Participate in a rotating schedule to briefly check systems on occasional weekends, ensuring that equipment and processes running continuously maintain integrity.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• 3 years of experience operating and maintaining modern analytical and materials characterization equipment in a laboratory conducting chemical synthesis or related research.
• Expert‑level skills in analytical techniques including ICP‑MS, ICP‑OES, XRD, TGA/DSC, SEM‑EDS, ion beam milling, and microwave sample digestion.
• Hands‑on experience with key instruments such as ICP‑MS, BET, XRPD, and TGA/DSC.
• Practical experience performing testing in a laboratory environment using techniques such as GC, HPLC, GC‑MS, ICP, and pH measurements.
• Demonstrated history of working safely in a laboratory, following established safety procedures and protocols.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to clearly document methods, results, SOPs, and safety procedures and to communicate effectively with team members.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel for communication, documentation, data analysis, and tracking of samples and instrument usage.
• Ability to troubleshoot and perform routine maintenance and calibration on analytical instruments to ensure reliable operation and high‑quality data.
• Ability to train and mentor other users on instrument operation, safety practices, and proper laboratory techniques.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in analytical chemistry, materials characterization, or a closely related field.
• Experience with SEM‑EDS, ICP‑OES, FTIR, and microwave sample digestion techniques.
• Experience with BET surface area analysis and XRPD for material characterization.
• GPC experience, with the ability to independently operate and manage GPC analyses, is highly desirable.
• Experience working in research‑focused laboratory environments, particularly those involved in chemical synthesis, advanced materials, or biochemical research.
• Familiarity with writing and updating SOPs, safety plans, and other technical documentation.
• Interest in contributing to scientific publications and collaborative research outputs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with interns, postdoctoral researchers, and other laboratory staff in a research setting.

Work Environment

The chemist works in a laboratory environment nearly 100% of the time, primarily alongside a small team that may include one other laboratory professional, interns, and a postdoctoral researcher. The setting is a research facility that operates at a measured pace compared to typical industrial environments, with a strong focus on scientific rigor, safety, and quality of data. The role involves daily use of advanced analytical and materials characterization instruments such as ICP‑MS, ICP‑OES, XRD, TGA/DSC, SEM‑EDS, BET, XRPD, GC, HPLC, GC‑MS, FTIR, microwave sample digestion systems, and related equipment. The standard workweek is approximately 40 hours with no routine overtime, and the schedule is generally Monday through Friday with flexibility in start time, typically between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (for example, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., or 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). The typical schedule is around 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with occasional short weekend visits on a rotating basis to verify that continuously running systems maintain integrity, usually for less than an hour. Periodic short trips to another site, such as Kansas City, occur a few times per year to support sample collection over a span of a couple of days. The culture emphasizes collaboration, learning, and mentorship, offering opportunities to work closely with experienced researchers, gain hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge technologies, and contribute to published scientific work.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lemont, IL.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Lemont,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $30 - $40