PQ is a leading global provider of silicates, silicas and derivative products. PQ’s products are used in a wide variety of industrial processes and many customer products, from decorative paints to green cement, from clean drinking water to green tires and from toothpaste to biofuels and beer.

Ideal candidates resonate with PQ’s Core Values of Integrity, Sustainability, People, Customer Focus and Safety.  Successful employees embrace and model these values in their behaviors and actions.

The Associate Chemist in our R&D department will play a crucial role in supporting routine and non-routine lab testing to meet the analytical needs of our Business Units, Research & Innovation, and Quality Control. This role involves working with various testing techniques, maintaining laboratory equipment, and ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in chemistry or a related field, with hands-on experience in laboratory testing and a commitment to high safety and quality standards.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform routine and non-routine testing using an array of analytical techniques including titration, density, viscosity, turbidity, ion chromatography, particle analysis (SPOS, laser diffraction, microscopic), physisorption, sieve testing, compressive strength, reflectance, gravimetric testing, combustion analysis, ICP, UV-Vis, and filtration studies.
• Accurately prepare samples, solutions and reagents as required, including digestions.
• Maintain, calibrate, and clean laboratory equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Manage inventory and input data accurately, ensuring all records are up to date.
• Engage in safe work practices and adhere to EHS standards and ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements.
• Present and discuss test results within the team, contributing to the overall department and quality objectives.
• Follow established SOPs and analytical methods
• Method development – development of reliable and consistent methods and writing SOP’s.

Specific Skills

• Proficiency in and willingness to learn various analytical techniques and laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work with a broad array of testing needs supporting both quality and research objectives.
• A hands-on candidate
• Knowledge in general chemical practices and processes
• Interested in learning new skills and techniques
• Ability in following written procedures and improving upon existing procedures
• Ability in conducting experiments with high accuracy
• Capability in analyzing and interpreting basic experimental results
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Computer skills – ability to work with many different software programs
• Multi-tasking skills – ability to work on many projects at once

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field from an accredited institution is preferred. An Associate degree in Chemistry with laboratory experience (2 years) will also be considered.
• Previous laboratory experience is desirable, with familiarity in the techniques and responsibilities outlined.
• Strong commitment to safety, attention to detail, and effective communication skills.

Special Factors

• This position operates in an ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified environment. The role requires adherence to safety policies and procedures.

EHS Responsibilities

• Communicates, promotes and personally demonstrates Safety/Health (including PQP Principles) as #1 priority
• Participation in risk assessment audits as applicable
• Understand PQ Principles (PQP) and how they are implemented in the site organization, rules and procedures
• Completes HSE training requirements identified for the job in a timely manner

PQ is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Click on the link to read Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (eeoc.gov). For more information, please review the link Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov).