Candidates must be willing to relocate to the Greater Chicago area; full relocation assistance is provided.

A global manufacturer of specialty chemical intermediates is seeking a hands-on Senior Synthesis Chemist specializing in silicone surfactants for polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam applications.

Based in our primary R&D laboratory in the Greater Chicago area, you will lead the bench-scale design, synthesis, and performance evaluation of custom organo-silicone surfactants tailored for rigid PIR insulation foams, boardstock, and polyurethane systems.

Key Responsibilities

Silicone Surfactant Synthesis: Design and execute bench-scale organic and organosilicon synthesis—including hydrosilylation reactions and polyether modifications—to produce tailored silicone surfactants (polyether-siloxane copolymers).
PIR Foam Formulation & Evaluation: Test and validate synthesized surfactants in rigid PIR and polyurethane foam formulations, evaluating cell size, closed-cell content, thermal insulation performance ($k$-factor/lambda value), density, and dimensional stability.
System & Blowing Agent Compatibility: Optimize surfactant structure (siloxane backbone length, EO/PO ratio, HLB balance) for compatibility with next-generation blowing agents (HFOs, pentanes, water) and flame retardant additives.
Analytical & Interfacial Characterization: Utilize analytical tools (NMR, FTIR, GPC, surface tension, interfacial tension, rheology) to characterize surfactant architecture and surface activity.
Scale-Up & Technical Support: Partner with process development engineers to transition synthesized surfactants from lab bench scale to pilot and full production, while supporting Technical Directors on key customer projects.

Key Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Surface Chemistry, or Materials Science (required).
Experience: 5+ years of industrial R&D experience in synthetic chemistry, specifically focused on organo-silicone chemistries and/or silicone surfactants for rigid PIR / Polyurethane foams.
Core Technical Expertise: Hands-on mastery of siloxane chemistry, hydrosilylation, alkoxylation, and the physics of foam nucleation and cell stabilization in high-index PIR systems.
Relocation Requirement: Must be willing to relocate to the Greater Chicago area (relocation package provided).
Characterization Skills: Strong proficiency in structural elucidation (NMR, FTIR, GPC), surface physics (pendant drop, tensiometry), and physical testing of rigid thermal insulation foams.