Cement Chemist

RJ LEe Group; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

RJ Lee Group in Pittsburgh, PA, is seeking a Cement Chemist to advance the Concrete Materials Department by applying cement chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and materials science.

This role emphasizes method development, client support, and expanding capabilities in natural pozzolans and SCMs, with collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions for construction and infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Geochemistry or Physical Chemistry required, with an MS or PhD in Materials Science, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field also acceptable.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a cement, concrete, or construction materials laboratory, with a strong emphasis on chemical characterization and materials chemistry (industry, research, or academic setting).

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on technical work to support and expand the Concrete Materials Department.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for cement, SCMs, and concrete materials.
• Provide expert guidance on the use and evaluation of natural pozzolans and supplementary cementitious materials.
• Apply principles of geochemistry and physical chemistry to interpret phase assemblages, reaction mechanisms, and material performance in cementitious materials.
• Independently manage research projects from planning through client delivery.
• Collaborate with engineers and manufacturers to develop innovative solutions.
• Communicate technical findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Assist with business development and client engagement activities.
• Promote scientific integrity, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Skills

cement chemistry

hydration mechanisms

SCMs

pozzolans

Education

Geochemistry/Physical Chemistry advanced deg.

Materials Science/Civil Engineering advanced deg.

Job description

The Cement Chemist will play a key role in advancing RJ Lee Group’s Concrete Materials Department by applyingexpertisein cement chemistry, reactionmechansimsand materials science. This position involves method development, client support,andthe expansion of our capabilities innaturalpozzolans and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), along withcollaboration across multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions for construction and infrastructure projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Perform hands-on technical work to support and expand the Concrete Materials Department.

Develop andvalidateanalytical methods for cement, SCMs, and concrete materials.

Provideexpert guidance onthe use and evaluation of natural pozzolans and supplementary cementitious materials.

Apply principles of geochemistry and physical chemistry to interpret phase assemblages, reaction mechanisms, and material performance in cementitious materials.

Independently manage research projects from planning through client delivery.

Collaborate with engineers and manufacturers to develop innovative solutions.

Communicate technical findings clearly to diverse audiences.

Assistwith business development and client engagement activities.

Promote scientific integrity, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

BS, MS, or PhD in Geochemistry or Physical Chemistry required, with an MS or PhD in Materials Science, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field also acceptable.

Minimum 5 years of experience in a cement, concrete, or construction materials laboratory, with a strong emphasis on chemical characterization and materials chemistry (industry, research, or academic setting).

Technical Skills

Strong knowledge of cement chemistry, hydration mechanisms, SCMs, and pozzolans.

Familiarity with ASTM, AASHTO standards; ISO 17025 experience preferred.

Other Requirements

Proven ability to manage projects and work collaboratively.

Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Willingness to travel and flexibility for project demands.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with multi-year client programs or method validation studies.

Previous client-facing technical roles or business development support.

Why RJ Lee Group

Impactful Work: Contribute to industries where materials science drives innovation.

Career Growth: Access mentorship, leadership opportunities, and continuous learning.

Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive environment committed to excellence.

Veteran Self‑Identification

• A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
  • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
  • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
• A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
• An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
• An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

I IDENTIFY AS ONE OR MORE OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROTECTED VETERAN LISTED ABOVE
I AM NOT A PROTECTED VETERAN
I DON’T WISH TO ANSWER

Voluntary Self‑Identification of Disability

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
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YES, I HAVE A DISABILITY, OR HAVE HAD ONE IN THE PAST NO, I DO NOT HAVE A DISABILITY AND HAVE NOT HAD ONE IN THE PAST I DO NOT WANT TO ANSWER