Research Chemist Jobs
Research Chemist jobs are open across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, materials science, consumer goods, and government labs, from entry-level bench scientist to principal and senior research fellow, with specializations in analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, and formulation development. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Research Chemist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 33+ Research Chemist jobs
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
See All 33 Research Chemist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Chemist JobsResearch 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 chemist jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with analytical instruments such as HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR
- Proficiency in laboratory data analysis software and electronic lab notebooks
- Knowledge of GLP or GMP regulatory standards for laboratory environments
- Experience designing, executing, and documenting original experiments independently
- Familiarity with safety protocols for handling hazardous chemicals and controlled substances
Tips for Your Research Chemist Job Search
Tailor your resume to instrumentation
Hiring managers scan for specific instruments and techniques, so list every platform you've operated, from HPLC and GC-MS to NMR and ICP-OES. Generic chemistry skills get skipped. Instrument proficiency is what gets your resume through screening.
Highlight publications and patent contributions
Even a co-author credit on a peer-reviewed paper or a named contribution on a patent application signals research output. List them in a dedicated section so recruiters don't have to dig through your work history to find them.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research chemist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Read job postings for preferred degree fields
Some postings require organic chemistry specifically, others accept analytical or physical chemistry. If your degree field differs from the preferred one, make your relevant coursework and lab techniques explicit in your resume so the connection is obvious to a non-specialist reviewer.
Prepare a data-driven answer for every project
Interviewers ask you to walk through a past experiment, troubleshoot a failed synthesis, or explain a data anomaly. Have two or three real examples ready that show your reasoning process and what you measured, not just what you did.
Negotiate start date around clearance or compliance timelines
Many pharmaceutical and government lab roles require background checks, security clearances, or controlled substance handling certifications before day one. Ask about these requirements during the offer stage so your start date is realistic and you don't lose the role over a paperwork gap.
Research Chemist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research chemists?
The companies hiring the most research 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 companies, and federal research agencies tend to post the highest volume of roles year-round.
How many research chemist jobs are remote?
About 25% of research chemist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most bench science roles. Computational chemistry, cheminformatics, and regulatory or technical writing positions within research teams are the sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How do you become a research chemist?
You typically start with a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a closely related science, then build hands-on lab skills through undergraduate research or internships. Many industrial roles are accessible at the bachelor's level, while positions focused on independent research design usually require a master's degree or PhD. Gaining proficiency in core analytical techniques and publishing or presenting research strengthens your candidacy at every level.
How do you get hired as a research chemist with little experience?
Focus on the laboratory skills you built in coursework and academic research, since employers in entry-level roles weigh instrument proficiency and experimental rigor over years on the job. Contract and temporary lab positions at contract research organizations are a common entry point that leads to permanent roles. Applying to roles where your specific degree concentration matches the team's focus area improves your odds significantly over generalist applications.
What does the research chemist interview process look like?
Most research chemist interviews begin with a phone or video screen focused on your background and specific techniques. A technical interview follows, where you walk through past experiments, explain methodology choices, and sometimes troubleshoot a hypothetical lab problem. Candidates for senior roles often present a seminar on their research. Final-round interviews typically include meetings with multiple team members and a lab tour to assess fit with the work environment.
Where can I find and apply to research chemist jobs?
You can find and apply to research chemist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your chemistry discipline and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and career goals.
See All 33 Research Chemist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Chemist Jobs