R&D Chemist

Join a Growing Team Where Your Work Directly Impacts Product Innovation

Are you a hands-on chemist who enjoys solving problems, working in the lab, and seeing your work make a real impact? We're seeking an R&D Chemist to join a collaborative team where you'll play a key role in product development, quality improvement, and manufacturing support across a diverse portfolio of chemical products.

This position offers an exciting blend of research & development, formulation support, analytical testing, and cross-functional collaboration. You'll gain exposure to a wide variety of products, work closely with manufacturing and commercial teams, and have opportunities to expand your technical expertise in a company that values continuous learning and long-term career growth.

Whether you're looking to deepen your formulation experience, broaden your analytical chemistry skills, or become a subject matter expert within a growing organization, this role provides an excellent platform for professional development.

What You'll Be Doing

As an R&D Chemist, you'll be responsible for supporting both product innovation and manufacturing operations through laboratory testing, formulation work, and technical problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct analytical and wet chemistry testing on raw materials, production batches, finished products, and competitive samples.
• Perform laboratory analyses including pH, viscosity, density, solids content, titrations, flash point testing, and other physical and chemical evaluations.
• Review batch data and provide technical recommendations to support manufacturing when products fall outside specification.
• Develop and prepare product samples and formulations for customers, product evaluations, and business development initiatives.
• Perform stability studies and evaluate product performance under various conditions.
• Maintain laboratory databases, testing records, and documentation to ensure accuracy, compliance, and traceability.
• Calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Generate Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and technical documentation for customers.
• Collaborate with external laboratories to coordinate specialized testing and analytical services.
• Partner closely with manufacturing, quality, sales, and technical teams to improve products, solve challenges, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support quality assurance and quality control programs while ensuring laboratory best practices are followed.
• Contribute to a safe, organized, and efficient laboratory environment.

What Makes This Opportunity Exciting

Hands-on laboratory work with a variety of products and formulations

Opportunity to influence both manufacturing success and new product development

Exposure to formulation work, quality systems, and analytical chemistry

Collaborative team environment with strong technical mentorship

Career growth opportunities within a training-focused organization

Diverse responsibilities that keep each day engaging and challenging

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline.
• 2-3 years of experience in R&D, formulation, product development, or laboratory-based chemistry roles.
• Hands-on experience performing wet chemistry and analytical testing.
• Strong understanding of quality control and quality assurance principles.
• Experience with laboratory documentation and data management.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, reliable results.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Experience within chemical manufacturing, food manufacturing, specialty chemicals, coatings, ingredients, or related industries.
• Experience with formulation development and batch troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of titration techniques and routine laboratory analyses.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with production, quality, technical, and commercial teams.
• Desire to grow within an organization that promotes learning, development, and long-term career advancement.

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

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $26.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.

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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 : $25 - $26