Research Chemist
Company: Ascent Industries Co
Location: Danville
Posted on: February 13, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Job Title: Research Scientist
Reporting: Director of Innovation Location: Danville, VA Date:
October 2025 Job Summary: Ascent Industries Co. is seeking a
Research Scientist to join our Research and Development team. This
role will serve as the technical focal point for new custom and
contract manufacturing projects and drive successful execution from
proof of concept through commercial-scale production. This role
will collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders in R&D,
Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Manufacturing to drive
commercial success with a focus on speed to solution,
commercial-scale viability, deep technical rigor, and a proactive
safety mindset. The ideal candidate combines strong technical
skills in experiment design, synthesis, process chemistry,
commercial-scale unit operations, and scale up within the chemicals
or materials industry. This role is expected to serve as the
subject matter expert for all analytical testing related to the
contract manufacturing projects, implementing customer specified
tests and introducing new test methods that are critical for
ensuring product quality. Duties and Responsibilities: Serve as the
technical focal point for new contract manufacturing opportunities.
Identify fastest and most efficient route to commercial scale
solutions for new contract manufacturing opportunities based on a
deep understanding of process chemistry and plant unit operations.
Design experiments based on sound scientific principles and
statistical methods to validate technical packages for proof of
concept, optimize processes, and develop technical package for
manufacturing to support First Time in Spec production. Rapidly
produce samples for customer evaluation based on a thorough
understanding of plant equipment capabilities and technical
requirements Establish R&D lab capabilities for synthesis,
process development, sample preparation, and testing by evaluating
current capabilities and additional needs to support project
pipeline. Demonstrate expertise in a broad array of analytical
instruments and drive new method development to align internal test
methods and capabilities with customer methods and protocols.
Leverage external labs for specialized test capabilities.
Collaborate with key stakeholders in Sales, Engineering,
Manufacturing, Procurement, and Product stewardship to drive
successful commercialization. Engage with customers to gather
process details, develop experimental plans, communicate project
progress, present key findings, results, and support successful
qualifications. Create Standard Operating Procedures and Work
Instructions for core lab activities. Assure safe lab operations
and compliance with site regulations while ensuring zero
recordables. Skills, Qualifications, Experience, Special Physical
Requirements: Ph.D. or master’s degree in chemistry, Chemical
Engineering, or Materials Science and Engineering Proven hands-on
product development and industrial scale-up (3 years) in specialty
chemicals or materials industry with subject matter expertise in on
or product categories: Surfactants, Emulsions, Dispersions,
Specialty Additives, Acrylic Adhesives, and Reactive Blends.
Know-how of product requirements for one or more market segments:
Oil and Gas Chemicals, Water Treatment Chemicals, Personal Care,
Lubricants, and CASE. Strong lab scale synthesis skills, working
knowledge of commercial-scale process equipment, and prior
experience scaling a product from the laboratory scale through
robust commercial scale production. Solid understanding of
interplay between raw materials, formulations, manufacturing
process variables, product specifications, and product performance.
Prior experience with development of detailed technical packages
for scale up. In depth analytical and method development experience
with techniques such as GPC, GC, HPLC, FTIR, NMR, Rheology,
Particle Size, and wet chemistry. Design of Experiments and Six
Sigma Green Belt Experience Preferred. Ability to prioritize tasks,
manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines.
Strong communication skills both written and verbal. Success
Metrics On time execution of R&D work for new contract
manufacturing projects per milestones established in NPD process
Improve technology transfer from lab to plant with a focus on
developing detailed technical packages for achieving target
specifications in the first production run. Develop detailed
understanding of customer technical protocols for testing and drive
quick internal implementation Serve as a technical interface to
provide outstanding customer engagement in all technical aspects
and help position R&D as our unique value proposition to
contract manufacturing customers
Keywords: Ascent Industries Co, Durham , Research Chemist, Science, Research & Development , Danville, North Carolina
