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Senior Research and Development (R&D) Chemist
Job Location:
Job Location:
Newburyport, MA - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 100000 - 125000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
6 June 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
3 September 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Ascensus Specialties is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Senior R&D Chemist to join our team onsite in Newburyport MA.
In this role you will drive the innovation design and development of new products and advanced technologies. Applying sophisticated scientific principles and a deep level of technical expertise this role leverages experimental design advanced laboratory techniques and robust analytical methods to deliver on high-priority corporate projects.
In this role you will drive the innovation design and development of new products and advanced technologies. Applying sophisticated scientific principles and a deep level of technical expertise this role leverages experimental design advanced laboratory techniques and robust analytical methods to deliver on high-priority corporate projects.
Working with a high degree of independence at our Newburyport facility the Senior R&D Chemist proactively stays at the forefront of chemical research and scientific literature. This position collaborates closely with local and corporate R&D colleagues operational teams and quality assurance to successfully transition innovative concepts into scalable high-quality products for Ascensus and our customers.
Safety-Sensitive Designation
Safety-Sensitive Designation
Notice: This role is explicitly designated as a Safety-Sensitive Position. Due to the operational environment and the core duties of this rolewhich require undivided attention high concentration and the handling of hazardous air/moisture-sensitive pyrophoric or toxic chemical compoundsany lapse in safety or cognitive impairment poses a direct immediate threat to the health and safety of the employee co-workers and the facility. Compliance with all safety protocols continuous fit-for-duty standards and company drug-free workplace policies is an essential function of this job.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Innovation & Scale-Up: Lead the directed development feasibility testing and delivery of new products and technologies ensuring a seamless transition from lab-scale to production.
- Experimental Execution: Set up operate and maintain required laboratory and analytical instrumentation for R&D activities; ensure all developed products meet exact customer specifications.
- Data & Documentation: Maintain rigorous high-quality laboratory records and utilize digital collaboration tools (e.g. Electronic Notebooks Teams SharePoint Salesforce) to document daily findings and drive project engagement.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Present complex technical data clearly to peers leadership and non-technical stakeholders; proactively provide project updates.
- Safety & Compliance: Conduct all work in a safe professional manner in strict accordance with SOPs. Actively participate in laboratory safety programs including Job Hazard Analyses (JHA) audits and waste management.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
Education & Experience:
- Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline with 2 years of relevant industrial experience is highly desired. However alternative education and experience will also be considered:
- A Masters degree (M.S.) in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline with 5 years of relevant industrial experience will also be considered.
- A Bachelors degree (B.S.) in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline with 10 years of progressive relevant industrial experience will be considered for this role.
Required Competencies:
- Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in core chemistry concepts and technical laboratory skills.
- Problem Solving & Troubleshooting: Ability to recognize operational or experimental problems perform root-cause analysis and seek targeted advice for resolution.
- Data-Driven Analysis: Strong observational skills with the ability to document findings in daily reports and routinely propose data-driven improvements to R&D experiments.
- Communication & Collaboration: Proven capability to independently collect data and present findings or recommendations in a group setting. Working knowledge of collaboration tools (such as Teams SharePoint Salesforce or Electronic Notebooks) to drive engagement.
- Methodology Awareness: Familiarity with modern development techniques tools and processes (e.g. Stage-Gate Design for Six Sigma Design Thinking or Lean principles).
Benefits
Ascensus Specialties offers a competitive compensation and total rewards compliance with Massachusetts State Pay Transparency requirements the compensation model for this position is structured as follows:
Compensation:
Compensation:
- Hiring Salary Range: $100000 - $125000 annualized. (Our target hiring salary for this position is $115000. Actual starting base salary is determined by the candidates education depth of experience and relevant technical expertise.)
- Classification: Full-Time Exempt. As an exempt professional role this position is paid an annual salary and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
- Annual Bonus Incentive: Eligible to participate in the 2026 Ascensus Bonus Plan (ABP) at a target of 10% of base annual wage. The ABP is a unified annual cash incentive program designed to reward employees for measurable contributions to company performance. Eligibility and payouts are determined based on overall corporate financial results as well as site-specific performance pertaining to Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Quality and Production metrics. For new hires the annual bonus potential is prorated based on the active hire date.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Health and wellness benefits begin on Day 1 of employment.
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical Dental and Vision insurance plans; Life and AD&D insurance; and Short-term/Long-term Disability coverage.
- Retirement (401k): 100% company match up to the first 3% of employee contributions; 70% match on contributions between 3% and 6%.
- Paid Time Off: All accrued and frontloaded time off benefits become available for use after 90 days of employment. Time off allotments for the first calendar year are prorated based on the hire date:
- Vacation & Floating Holidays: Frontloaded on January 1 annually based on standard professional tenure brackets.
- Sick Leave: Accrued in compliance with Massachusetts state regulations.
- Company Holidays: 9 paid company holidays (paid at 8 hours each) 24 hours of floating holidays per calendar year.
- Additional Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available immediately upon hire to support overall well-being.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
We partner with companies of all kinds to develop chemical solutions that improve everyday products and processes to enhance people’s lives.
