At Boulder Scientific, employees work in a collaborative, science-driven environment where innovation, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and workplace safety are fundamental to everything we do. Our Research & Development team develops creative chemical processes that enable the manufacture of advanced organometallic compounds and specialty molecules for customers across a variety of industries. We foster professional growth while maintaining the highest standards of environmental stewardship, scientific integrity, and safety.
About
The Scientist I is responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling synthetic routes for organic and organometallic compounds that support new product development and commercial manufacturing. This position leverages scientific literature, internal technical expertise, and laboratory experimentation to identify practical, safe, and efficient synthetic processes for complex target molecules.
The Scientist I serves as the technical lead for assigned development projects, collaborating with analytical chemists, engineers, pilot plant personnel, production teams, and project managers to successfully advance products from laboratory development through pilot-scale and commercial manufacturing. This is a hands-on laboratory position requiring expertise in synthetic organic and organometallic chemistry, experimental design, and process development.
This is a full-time, day shift position based in Mead, Colorado.
Essential Functions
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Develop and optimize synthetic routes for organic and organometallic compounds through literature review, laboratory experimentation, and application of internal technical knowledge.
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Design, plan, and execute multi-step synthetic experiments to support research and development objectives.
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Perform air-sensitive synthetic chemistry using modern laboratory techniques and specialized equipment.
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Analyze experimental results and interpret analytical data to guide process development and optimization.
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Develop innovative and creative solutions to complex synthetic chemistry challenges while improving process efficiency, safety, scalability, and cost effectiveness.
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Lead technical development activities supporting the scale-up of new chemical processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing.
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Collaborate with Analytical Services to characterize products and evaluate process performance using appropriate analytical techniques.
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Apply modern process development tools including Design of Experiments (DOE), reaction screening, flow chemistry, and emerging technologies when appropriate.
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Support Pilot Plant and Manufacturing operations by providing technical expertise, troubleshooting process issues, and participating in production support activities.
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Prepare technical reports, maintain laboratory notebooks, document experimental procedures, and communicate project progress to internal stakeholders.
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Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives while meeting quality, safety, and timeline expectations.
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Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in laboratory practices, process development methodologies, and operational efficiency.
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Follow all company safety policies, laboratory procedures, and environmental regulations while maintaining a safe working environment.
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Properly wear and maintain required personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing laboratory activities.
Minimum Qualifications
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Ph.D. in Chemistry with a focus in organometallic chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
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Zero (0) to two (2) years of industrial or equivalent postdoctoral research experience in synthetic chemistry.
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Demonstrated knowledge of organic and organometallic synthesis, including ligand synthesis and air-sensitive chemistry.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical information.
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Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary research environments.
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Must be able to successfully complete any required post-offer, job-related evaluations consistent with business necessity and applicable law.
Preferred Qualifications
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Demonstrated record of academic achievement through publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent scientific contributions.
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Experience developing scalable chemical processes from laboratory through pilot-scale production.
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Experience supporting technology transfer into manufacturing or pilot plant operations.
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Experience applying Design of Experiments (DOE), reaction optimization, process analytical technologies, or flow chemistry.
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Experience troubleshooting complex synthetic chemistry challenges and developing innovative and creative process solutions.
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Familiarity with analytical characterization techniques including NMR, GC, HPLC, ICP, or related instrumentation.
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Experience working in a collaborative industrial or contract research environment.
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Strong technical writing skills, including preparation of technical reports and development documentation.
Work Environment
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Primarily laboratory-based work with routine exposure to chemicals, air-sensitive reagents, and laboratory instrumentation.
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Regular work at laboratory benches, chemical fume hoods, and gloveboxes.
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Frequent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including eye protection, gloves, laboratory coats, and other required safety equipment.
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Regular standing, walking, laboratory manipulation, and computer use.
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Frequent lifting and moving of materials up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting of materials up to 35 pounds.
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Work requires adherence to laboratory safety procedures, hazardous material handling requirements, and environmental regulations.
Job Location
Pay
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Salary Range: $90,000.00 – $95,000.00 annually, plus participation in the Company Bonus Plan
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Compensation is based on experience, education, skills, and overall qualifications Eligible employees receive medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, and other company benefits.
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Employees may be eligible for state-mandated leave benefits, including those provided under Colorado's paid sick leave and family and medical leave programs, in accordance with applicable law.
Application Deadline: This position will remain open for a minimum of two weeks from the date of posting and will continue accepting applications until the position is filled.
Boulder Scientific is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Boulder Scientific provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law.
Employment with Boulder Scientific is at-will. Nothing in this job description creates an employment contract or guarantees employment for any specific duration.
Boulder Scientific maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
