PPG's Specialty Coatings and Materials business is looking for a Senior Research Chemist to support the development and scale-up of photochromic dyes used in smart/transition eyewear. You will combine hands-on laboratory research with process development, focusing on translating organic synthesis from bench scale to pilot and manufacturing operations.
You will have expertise in organic synthesis, process optimization, and scale-up chemistry, while working with multiple teams to accelerate commercialization of new photochromic products. You will report to the Senior Research Manager and sit onsite in our Monroeville, PA site.
Main Responsibilities
• Develop synthetic routes from laboratory to pilot/plant scale.
• Improve process yield, purity, throughput, cycle time, and cost through data-driven experimentation.
• Investigate reaction kinetics, impurity profiles, and mass balance to support process decisions.
• Perform hands-on laboratory work, including synthesis, purification, and scale-up activities.
• Document experimental procedures, results, and process updates using electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN) and digital data systems.
• Collaborate with analytical, engineering, QA, production, and project teams to ensure successful technology transfer.
• Communicate findings through technical reports and presentations.
• Support team productivity improvements and workflow efficiencies.
• Experience with flow chemistry/reactors is advantageous.
Required Qualifications
• PhD in Organic Chemistry (or related field) with 2-5 years of industrial process development experience
OR
• MS in Organic Chemistry (or related field) with 6+ years of industrial process development experience
• Background in modern organic synthesis
• Experience with process development and scale-up from bench to kilo-lab/pilot scale
• Expertise in reaction optimization and process troubleshooting
• You will have hands-on experience with:
• HPLC
• GC
• Column chromatography
• NMR interpretation
• GPC interpretation
• Understanding of small-molecule process development
• Experience with synthesis equipment and instrumentation
• Proficiency with digital tools such as ELN, SAP, and laboratory data systems
As a top choice candidate, you will have any of the following:
• Experience with photochromic compounds, specialty chemicals, or dyes
• Polymer chemistry/process experience
• Experience transferring laboratory processes to manufacturing
• Evidence of innovation that improved efficiency, yield, quality, or cost
#LI-Onsite
PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, Family leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.
