Senior Research Chemist

Basic Function

LyondellBasell is seeking a Research Chemist for the Houston Technology Center (HTC) in Channelview, TX.  HTC is a state-of-the-art R&D facility that serves as the global R&D center for LyondellBasell's Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D) and Olefins Businesses.  HTC R&D focuses on innovative opportunities that drive sustainable process and technology improvements, improve catalyst and process technologies for our existing manufacturing facilities and develop innovative technologies allowing LYB to maintain and build on our competitive advantages.  HTC also provides technical support to our manufacturing and business organizations.

The Research Chemist will lead efforts to identify, develop, and industrialize new catalysts and processes for LYB’s proprietary technologies.  This includes opportunities to reduce costs or improve efficiencies for existing units and inventing new products and processes to support long-term business objectives.

This is an exciting career opportunity to join our technical team of experts at a state-of-the-art research facility and to collaborate with researchers globally.  HTC is at the Channelview Complex, one of the largest petrochemical facilities on the Gulf Coast with about 2,000 employees, covering 4,000 acres, just nineteen miles from our Corporate Headquarters in downtown Houston.  This is a direct-hire position with a competitive base salary, bonus, 401K matching, generous benefits package, pension plan and employee discounts.
 

Roles & Responsibilities

Lead projects and project teams to improve existing technologies, identify and develop innovative new processes and provide technical support to existing Business and Manufacturing sites.  

This will include:

• New idea generation and project definition.
• Experimental design and execution of bench scale laboratory and pilot plant experiments.
• Ensure that objectives and experimental plans are well-prepared and communicated for effective project execution with the highest attention to process and personnel safety.
• Maintain a strong emphasis on safety, including responsibility for conducting thorough safety analysis of experimental programs.
• Design and operation of test units from lab to demonstration scale, and development of protocols to efficiently generate data for process development.
• Use organic chemistry expertise to troubleshoot process chemistry issues, including problems with existing products meeting specifications and customer performance needs.
• Provide leadership and direction to technicians/operators and other researchers supporting his or her projects.
• Support sustainability initiatives for process and technology improvements.
• Effective documentation and presentation of experimental results.
• Work effectively with R&D researchers, staff, technicians, and management for competent performance of job functions.
• Work with Manufacturing, Global Engineering, and the Business for alignment of project activities and efficient execution and implementation of R&D projects.  May lead multi-functional project teams to support local or worldwide business objectives.
• Work with the Engineering and Manufacturing organizations to plan and execute industrialization plans including plant trials, where needed.
• Expertise in the company’s core technologies and chemistry.  This includes developing a good understanding of competitors’ processes to drive technology leadership internally.

Min. Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Chemistry with at least 10 years of relevant experience in chemicals, petrochemicals, fuels, or related R&D is required.  A Ph.D. in Organic or Physical Organic Chemistry is strongly preferred.  Some consideration may be given to candidates with equivalent industrial and R&D experience. 
• Preference will be given to candidates with a background in experimental design and experience in operating bench-scale equipment. 
• Experience with molecular modeling is preferred. 
• Experience with new lab scale unit design, construction, and commissioning.
• Experience assisting engineers with experimental design and operation of pilot scale or demonstration units is a plus.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with technicians, fellow researchers, plant engineers, management, and executive levels is essential.  Must be comfortable making presentations to senior management to obtain support for projects.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple and/or changing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lead R&D project teams to meet site and company goals.  This includes providing mentorship to other researchers on site.
• Strong technical orientation, able to use and build on their chemistry education, training, and experience to perform well in an R&D work environment.
• Creative in proposing new projects, optimizing process concepts, and finding ways to meet project objectives. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills required.
• Highly self-motivated individual with demonstrated ability to drive for results.

Preferred Qualifications

Competencies