Senior Research and Development (R&D) Chemist

Job Description

Job Description

Description

Ascensus Specialties is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Senior R&D Chemist to join our team onsite in Newburyport, MA. 

In this role, you will drive the innovation, design, and development of new products and advanced technologies. Applying sophisticated scientific principles and a deep level of technical expertise, this role leverages experimental design, advanced laboratory techniques, and robust analytical methods to deliver on high-priority corporate projects.

Working with a high degree of independence at our Newburyport facility, the Senior R&D Chemist proactively stays at the forefront of chemical research and scientific literature. This position collaborates closely with local and corporate R&D colleagues, operational teams, and quality assurance to successfully transition innovative concepts into scalable, high-quality products for Ascensus and our customers.

Safety-Sensitive Designation

Notice: This role is explicitly designated as a Safety-Sensitive Position . Due to the operational environment and the core duties of this role—which require undivided attention, high concentration, and the handling of hazardous, air/moisture-sensitive, pyrophoric, or toxic chemical compounds—any lapse in safety or cognitive impairment poses a direct, immediate threat to the health and safety of the employee, co-workers, and the facility. Compliance with all safety protocols, continuous fit-for-duty standards, and company drug-free workplace policies is an essential function of this job.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Innovation & Scale-Up: Lead the directed development, feasibility testing, and delivery of new products and technologies, ensuring a seamless transition from lab-scale to production.
• Experimental Execution: Set up, operate, and maintain required laboratory and analytical instrumentation for R&D activities; ensure all developed products meet exact customer specifications.
• Data & Documentation: Maintain rigorous, high-quality laboratory records and utilize digital collaboration tools (e.g., Electronic Notebooks, Teams, SharePoint, Salesforce) to document daily findings and drive project engagement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Present complex technical data clearly to peers, leadership, and non-technical stakeholders; proactively provide project updates.
• Safety & Compliance: Conduct all work in a safe, professional manner in strict accordance with SOPs. Actively participate in laboratory safety programs, including Job Hazard Analyses (JHA), audits, and waste management.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Education & Experience: 

• Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline with 2+ years of relevant industrial experience is highly desired. However, alternative education and experience will also be considered:
• A Master’s degree (M.S.) in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline with 5+ years of relevant industrial experience will also be considered.
• A Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline with 10+ years of progressive, relevant industrial experience will be considered for this role.

Required Competencies:

• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in core chemistry concepts and technical laboratory skills.
• Problem Solving & Troubleshooting: Ability to recognize operational or experimental problems, perform root-cause analysis, and seek targeted advice for resolution.
• Data-Driven Analysis: Strong observational skills with the ability to document findings in daily reports and routinely propose data-driven improvements to R&D experiments.
• Communication & Collaboration: Proven capability to independently collect data and present findings or recommendations in a group setting. Working knowledge of collaboration tools (such as Teams, SharePoint, Salesforce, or Electronic Notebooks) to drive engagement.
• Methodology Awareness: Familiarity with modern development techniques, tools, and processes (e.g., Stage-Gate, Design for Six Sigma, Design Thinking, or Lean principles).

Benefits

Ascensus Specialties offers a competitive compensation and total rewards package. In compliance with Massachusetts State Pay Transparency requirements, the compensation model for this position is structured as follows:

Compensation:

• Hiring Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000 annualized. (Our target hiring salary for this position is $115,000 . Actual starting base salary is determined by the candidate's education, depth of experience, and relevant technical expertise.)
• Classification: Full-Time, Exempt. As an exempt professional role, this position is paid an annual salary and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Annual Bonus Incentive: Eligible to participate in the 2026 Ascensus Bonus Plan (ABP) at a target of 10% of base annual wage. The ABP is a unified annual cash incentive program designed to reward employees for measurable contributions to company performance. Eligibility and payouts are determined based on overall corporate financial results, as well as site-specific performance pertaining to Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS), Quality, and Production metrics. For new hires, the annual bonus potential is prorated based on the active hire date.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans; Life and AD&D insurance; and Short-term/Long-term Disability coverage.
• Retirement (401k): 100% company match up to the first 3% of employee contributions; 70% match on contributions between 3% and 6%.
• Paid Time Off: All accrued and frontloaded time off benefits become available for use after 90 days of employment. Time off allotments for the first calendar year are prorated based on the hire date:
  • Vacation & Floating Holidays: Frontloaded on January 1 annually based on standard professional tenure brackets.
  • Sick Leave: Accrued in compliance with Massachusetts state regulations.
  • Company Holidays: 9 paid company holidays (paid at 8 hours each) + 24 hours of floating holidays per calendar year.
• Additional Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available immediately upon hire to support overall well-being.