Research Scientist, Analytical Chemistry

Oil Dri•Vernon Hills, IL

6d•$76,000 - $99,000

About The Position

The Research Scientist – Analytical Chemistry supports Oil‑Dri’s R&D, Product Development, Regulatory, Sales, and Manufacturing teams by developing and executing analytical methods that enable a deep understanding of clay‑based materials and their interactions with chemical systems. This role applies strong technical fundamentals to generate high‑quality data, interpret results, and provide insights that guide product innovation, quality improvements, and customer solutions. The scientist is expected to work independently on laboratory investigations, evaluate opportunities for method enhancements, and contribute to building Oil‑Dri’s analytical capabilities.

Requirements

M.S. degree in Analytical Chemistry with a minimum of 2 years of related industry experience.
Solid theoretical and practical understanding of analytical chemistry, with working knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry.
Experience with analytical techniques relevant to clay characterization; familiarity with chromatographic and spectrometric methods (LC‑MS, GC‑MS) is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze data, and communicate findings clearly.
Ability to maintain and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation.
Strong curiosity and motivation to understand material behavior and translate observations into actionable insights.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational habits, and effective documentation practices.
Strong interpersonal skills, integrity, and the ability to collaborate across functions.
Creative, customer‑focused, and capable of solving problems in a fast‑paced industrial environment.
Record of providing solutions to complex problems where little precedent exists using ingenuity, creativity, and scientific skills
Demonstrated capacity for independent, innovative, proactive approach to research and/or process improvement, but comfortable working in a team environment
Capacity for making major decisions in the creation, planning, execution, and interpretation of research projects