Researcher - Polyolefin Catalyst Development

With a strategy centered on people and sustainability, Braskem is engaged in contributing to the value chain to strengthen the Circular Economy. Braskem’s 9,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improving people's lives through sustainable solutions in chemicals and plastics. With its corporate DNA rooted in innovation, Braskem offers a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse industries, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, health and hygiene, and more. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports its products to clients in over 70 countries.

Braskem America is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with six production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, as well as an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh and a New Renewable Innovation Center in Lexington, which focuses on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and chemical catalysis. For more information, visit www.braskem.com/usa.

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

What we offer

At Braskem, we offer more than just a competitive pay package. Our total rewards package includes a wide range of benefits you need for every stage of your life. Our benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Retirement Benefits
• Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Teladoc
• A wide range of voluntary benefits like Pet Insurance, Legal and ID Theft Insurance
• Flexible work schedules like 9/80 schedules for eligible team members

Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level and/or ladder.

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States without the need for any type of sponsorship now or in the future. Braskem is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees according to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team.