Research and Development Chemist Jobs
Research and Development Chemist jobs are open across pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, materials science, and consumer products, at every level from entry-level bench chemist to principal scientist and R&D director, with specializations in synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and formulation. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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RESEARCH CHEMIST TECHNICIAN
Rocky Mountain Scientific Laboratory
Department: Advanced Chemistry Group
Location: Littleton, Colorado
U.S. Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Travel: No
Schedule: Full-time
Description of Business Environment:
Peace is often associated with passivity. At Rocky Mountain Scientific Laboratory, we associate peace with strength, courage, and action. We know that enabling peace to prevail is not for the faint of heart, which is why we built our company foundation on the core values of Integrity, Quality, Agility, and Grit. We pride ourselves in providing unequaled services and technologies in the field of applied energetics to our customers. Our experts possess extensive knowledge and capability in energetic materials and military systems enabling them to offer analytical characterization, modeling & simulation, design, system integration, prototyping, test engineering, and proof-of-concept production services covering a wide range of applications. Our strengths lie in our ability and relentless determination to get the job done quickly and affordably.
RMSL is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. All qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, national origin or other legally protected status. An applicant with a disability or a disabled veteran can request reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our positions.
Specific Job Description:
RMSL is a growth company with an outstanding job opportunity for a Research Chemist Technician. This position will report to the Advanced Chemistry Group Manager. The Research Chemist Technician will be an integral part of a small cross functional team working on exciting development projects with cutting-edge technology. In this role, the ideal candidate will have a strong background in Chemistry with experience in organic and/or inorganic synthesis. This role will be a part of an integrated team focused on the development of novel energetic systems, energetic material scale-up processes, development of ammunition and armaments, testing and analysis of energetic materials. This individual must demonstrate innovation, an ability to learn, and a strong focus on safety and problem solving.
Duties Include:
- Assist in the synthesize energetic materials and scale-up process
- Characterize novel energetic materials using a variety of analytical methods (DSC, TGA, SDT, TAM, Particle Size Analyzer, GC-FID, UV-VIS-NIR, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy) and material sensitivity characterization (BAM friction, impact, and ESD testing)
- Ability to handle hazardous materials with strict adherence to safety process requirements
- Assist in the design of experiments and test series that result in safe and efficient collection of data
- Installation, maintenance, and operation of specialized instrumentation and testing equipment
- Project engineering tasks such as report writing, technical presentations (at customer and public meetings), and technical deliverables tracking
Required Skills:
- Problem solver that can work independently on fast-paced projects
- Extensive knowledge of chemistry
- Hands-on experience with energetic materials and/or hazardous chemicals
- Proficient in standard laboratory practices
- Exercises creative thinking and innovation
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Physical requirements:
- Must be able to sit for extended periods of time; must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.; must have the ability to see near and far and work with a computer monitor
- Required to bend, sit, stand and lift to perform job effectively
Highly Beneficial Skills:
- Familiar with general explosive effects and chemistry
- Holds a CO State Blaster’s Permit
- Experience in one or more of the following areas
- Continuous Synthesis
- Armament and munition development
- Energetic material synthesis and formulation
- Laboratory and pilot plant scale-up of energetic materials
- Experience with chemical formulation development
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must have a BS or higher in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
- Ability to obtain security clearance
- Ability to obtain CO State Blaster’s Permit
Benefits:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) with matching
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development
- Flexible schedule
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Find JobsResearch and Development Chemist Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
- Technology & Software
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research and development chemist jobs.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related science field
- Proficiency with analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, or IR spectroscopy
- Experience designing and executing laboratory experiments with documented data integrity
- Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practices or GMP regulatory environments
- Ability to interpret and present experimental data in technical reports and cross-functional meetings
- Experience with statistical analysis tools or software for data modeling and experimental design
Tips for Your Research and Development Chemist Job Search
Tailor your resume to lab techniques
Hiring managers scan for specific instrumentation and methods, not just chemistry degrees. List every technique you've used, such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, or titration, in a dedicated skills section so applicant tracking systems flag your profile as a match.
Highlight patents and published research
R&D roles value intellectual contribution beyond day-to-day lab work. If you've co-authored a paper, contributed to a patent application, or presented at a symposium, list those credentials near the top of your resume. They differentiate you from candidates with similar bench experience.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research and development chemist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by industry phase
R&D chemist roles differ sharply by development stage. Early-stage discovery roles at biotech firms want synthetic and medicinal chemistry depth. Scale-up and process roles at contract manufacturers want pilot-plant and GMP experience. Read job descriptions carefully and match your application language to the phase the employer is in.
Prepare for a technical screening round
Most R&D chemist interviews include a problem-solving exercise, a whiteboard synthesis question, or a live data-interpretation task before you meet the broader team. Review your graduate coursework on reaction mechanisms and spectral analysis so you can work through problems out loud with confidence.
Negotiate relocation for site-specific roles
Many R&D chemist positions require on-site work in a specific lab facility. If a role you want is in a new city, raise relocation assistance early in the offer conversation. Employers expecting on-site commitment often have relocation budgets and will offer them if you ask directly.
Research and Development Chemist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research and development chemists?
The companies hiring the most research and development chemists right now include Arkema, HP, and KLA, with the largest share of openings in New Jersey, California, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, specialty chemical producers, and consumer goods companies consistently represent the largest share of active postings.
How many research and development chemist jobs are remote?
About 25% of research and development chemist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most roles require hands-on lab access. Computational chemistry, cheminformatics, regulatory affairs support, and technical writing sub-roles within R&D tend to offer the most remote flexibility compared to bench-intensive synthesis or analytical positions.
How do you become a research and development chemist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related science, then gain hands-on lab experience through internships, co-ops, or undergraduate research. Many entry-level R&D roles require only a bachelor's, but competitive industrial positions increasingly prefer a Master's or Ph.D. for independent project ownership. Building proficiency in core analytical techniques and documenting your experimental contributions through reports, posters, or publications strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Can you get hired as a research and development chemist with little experience?
Yes, entry-level R&D chemist roles exist specifically for candidates with limited professional experience. Employers hiring new graduates typically look for strong academic lab work, familiarity with standard instrumentation, and evidence of scientific curiosity such as undergraduate research or a thesis project. Targeting contract research organizations and quality control labs as a first step builds the documented industry experience that opens doors to core R&D positions.
What does the research and development chemist interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a recruiter or HR screen covering your background and lab experience, followed by a technical interview with a hiring manager or senior scientist that may include synthesis problems, spectral interpretation, or experimental design questions. Finalists often present a seminar on past research or a case study. The full process from first screen to offer commonly runs several weeks across multiple rounds.
Where can I find and apply to research and development chemist jobs?
You can find and apply to research and development chemist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the listings to find roles that match your specialization, experience level, and location preference, then apply directly to each one that fits your background.
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