Research Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Research Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania are in strong and sustained demand, with the state's life sciences corridor, academic medical centers, and energy research institutions driving openings at every level from junior researcher through principal scientist. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Greater Delaware Valley, where employers like GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, and the University of Pennsylvania consistently bring on research talent. The most sought-after specializations include oncology and drug discovery, materials science, and computational biology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Research Scientist jobs
Date: Aug 13, 2026
Location: Tyrone, PA, US, 16686
Company: W. R. Grace & Co.
Annual Wage Range: $123,600.00 - $169,950.00
Other Compensation: Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses
Benefits: U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)
Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.
Job Description
Grace is a leader in the production of small molecules used in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries.
The R&D Scientist has a strong foundation in organic synthesis and is part of a highly motivated, creative R&D team.
The Scientist designs and optimizes the synthesis of organic compounds with the goal of producing routes of manufacture which can be scaled up on location.
This exciting specialty has a high potential for career growth by driving innovation using advanced synthetic & analytical techniques. The Scientist contributes to a cross-functional team of chemists, engineers, analytical experts, Health, Safety and Environmental and marketing teams to bring processes from the bench to commercial production.
The R&D Scientist is in Tyrone, PA.
Responsibilities
- Define, develop, and demonstrate commercially viable processes for custom products with a focus on developing economical and robust processes while minimizing waste streams.
- Support production of new chemical entities during initial scale-up and process validation.
- Perform experiments needed to evaluate and optimize a potential synthetic route in terms of its overall yield, purity, cost, and safety.
- Develop and share ideas for synthesizing sophisticated organic molecules, with an emphasis on applying innovative synthetic chemistry strategies and techniques.
- Explore crystallization conditions to create the desired crystal habit for optimal filtration rate, yield, and impurities rejection.
- Work collaboratively with other departments including safety, engineering, analytical, and sourcing to introduce new chemical processes into full-scale production.
- Write detailed development reports documenting the laboratory research.
- Devise literature searches and utilize other resources that are needed in evaluating projects in terms of their costs, toxicity, safety, and relevant patent data.
Physical Requirements and Environment
- Ability to follow safety protocols and standards working in a laboratory environment with highly hazardous materials
- Must be willing to wear PPE (Personal Protective equipment) including but not limited to hard hat, protective eyewear, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, Level A suit, full face respirator
Required Qualifications
- PhD in organic chemistry OR
- Master’s in chemistry with 7+ years of experience in organic chemistry.
- Experience interpreting data and spectra derived from laboratory instrumentation (NMR, HPLC, GC)
- Experience with amino acids and peptide synthesis
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with synthetic organic chemistry fundamentals, technical knowledge, and multi-step organic synthesis.
- Experience designing and developing novel synthetic routes which can be scaled to plant assets. Experience with process scale-up
- Experience working independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment.
- Experience generating and implementing original ideas and solutions which contribute materially to the success of product manufacturing.
- Education or experience using approved AI/ML tools to accelerate innovation and improve productivity.
To be considered for this position, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer.
#LI-SK1
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance and Disability
- Grace Wellness Program
- Flexible Workplace
- Retirement Plans
- 401(k) Company Match
- Paid Vacation and Holidays
- Parental Leave (salaried only)
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Company Donation Match Program
- U.S. Employee Benefits Summary
Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nearest Major Market: Altoona
Nearest Secondary Market: Johnstown
Date: Aug 13, 2026
Location: Tyrone, PA, US, 16686
Company: W. R. Grace & Co.
Annual Wage Range: $123,600.00 - $169,950.00
Other Compensation: Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses
Benefits: U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)
Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.
Job Description
Grace is a leader in the production of small molecules used in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries.
The R&D Scientist has a strong foundation in organic synthesis and is part of a highly motivated, creative R&D team.
The Scientist designs and optimizes the synthesis of organic compounds with the goal of producing routes of manufacture which can be scaled up on location.
This exciting specialty has a high potential for career growth by driving innovation using advanced synthetic & analytical techniques. The Scientist contributes to a cross-functional team of chemists, engineers, analytical experts, Health, Safety and Environmental and marketing teams to bring processes from the bench to commercial production.
The R&D Scientist is in Tyrone, PA.
Responsibilities
- Define, develop, and demonstrate commercially viable processes for custom products with a focus on developing economical and robust processes while minimizing waste streams.
- Support production of new chemical entities during initial scale-up and process validation.
- Perform experiments needed to evaluate and optimize a potential synthetic route in terms of its overall yield, purity, cost, and safety.
- Develop and share ideas for synthesizing sophisticated organic molecules, with an emphasis on applying innovative synthetic chemistry strategies and techniques.
- Explore crystallization conditions to create the desired crystal habit for optimal filtration rate, yield, and impurities rejection.
- Work collaboratively with other departments including safety, engineering, analytical, and sourcing to introduce new chemical processes into full-scale production.
- Write detailed development reports documenting the laboratory research.
- Devise literature searches and utilize other resources that are needed in evaluating projects in terms of their costs, toxicity, safety, and relevant patent data.
Physical Requirements and Environment
- Ability to follow safety protocols and standards working in a laboratory environment with highly hazardous materials
- Must be willing to wear PPE (Personal Protective equipment) including but not limited to hard hat, protective eyewear, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, Level A suit, full face respirator
Required Qualifications
- PhD in organic chemistry OR
- Master’s in chemistry with 7+ years of experience in organic chemistry.
- Experience interpreting data and spectra derived from laboratory instrumentation (NMR, HPLC, GC)
- Experience with amino acids and peptide synthesis
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with synthetic organic chemistry fundamentals, technical knowledge, and multi-step organic synthesis.
- Experience designing and developing novel synthetic routes which can be scaled to plant assets. Experience with process scale-up
- Experience working independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment.
- Experience generating and implementing original ideas and solutions which contribute materially to the success of product manufacturing.
- Education or experience using approved AI/ML tools to accelerate innovation and improve productivity.
To be considered for this position, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer.
#LI-SK1
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance and Disability
- Grace Wellness Program
- Flexible Workplace
- Retirement Plans
- 401(k) Company Match
- Paid Vacation and Holidays
- Parental Leave (salaried only)
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Company Donation Match Program
- U.S. Employee Benefits Summary
Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nearest Major Market: Altoona
Nearest Secondary Market: Johnstown
See All 22 Research Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist JobsResearch Scientist Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Scientist Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
- Science & Research
- Technology & Software
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research scientist jobs across Pennsylvania.
- PhD or master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline such as biology, chemistry, or materials science
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication or applied research output in your specialty area
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques, instrumentation, or computational tools specific to the listed discipline
- Experience designing, executing, and interpreting independent research projects from hypothesis through analysis
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings to cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to life sciences or energy research in Pennsylvania
Research Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research scientist in Pennsylvania?
Most research scientist roles in Pennsylvania require at minimum a master's degree, and many academic or pharmaceutical positions expect a PhD in a relevant field such as chemistry, biology, or engineering. Pennsylvania does not issue a state-level research scientist license, so entry depends on educational credentials and demonstrated research output. Postdoctoral fellowships at institutions like Penn State, Temple, or Carnegie Mellon are a common bridge into independent research positions in the state.
Which companies hire research scientists in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring research scientists in Pennsylvania right now include Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State University, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters, academic health systems, and Department of Energy-affiliated national laboratories means research scientist openings are distributed across both industry and institutional employers throughout the state.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most research scientist jobs?
The cities with the most research scientist openings in Pennsylvania are Pittsburgh, Hershey, and Collegeville. Philadelphia leads due to its dense cluster of pharmaceutical companies, academic medical centers, and biotech firms, while Pittsburgh's strength in materials science, robotics, and Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh-affiliated research drives significant demand in the western part of the state.
Are there remote research scientist jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields. About 36% of research scientist openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on laboratory work many positions require. Computational biology, bioinformatics, data science-adjacent research, and regulatory affairs roles within research organizations tend to be the most amenable to remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a research scientist in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral fellowship or graduate research assistantship at a Pennsylvania institution, which provides funded experience and direct access to hiring networks. Large employers such as Merck and GlaxoSmithKline run formal early-career and rotational research programs aimed at recent graduates. Adjacent roles like research associate, laboratory technician, or clinical research coordinator at Pennsylvania hospital systems also serve as launching points, and a strong thesis publication record can substitute for industry experience in early applications.
Where can I find and apply to research scientist jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to each position through the listing.
See All 22 Research Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist Jobs