Research Scientist - Water Treatment Chemistry

Usalco; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Usalco in Baltimore seeks a Research Scientist to lead industrial chemistry projects in water treatment, from concept through commercialization. You will design, run, and interpret experiments, acting as a technical authority across the R&D organization.

This on-site role emphasizes hands-on bench work, collaboration with operations and product management, and mentoring junior scientists while advancing coagulation science and scalable solutions for municipal and industrial markets.

Qualifications

• Strong experimental skills in a hands-on lab setting.
• Experience translating research into commercial impact.
• Experience launching products in water treatment.

Responsibilities

• Originate and lead applied research programs from concept to commercialization

Skills

Independent leadership

Hands-on lab work

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical mentoring

Education

PhD in Chemistry

5+ years industrial experience

Tools

ICP-OES

TOC

UV-Vis

Job description

About The Job Research Scientist - Water Treatment Chemistry

Usalco is a leading U.S. provider of specialty water treatment chemistries, services, and digital solutions, serving municipal, industrial, and specialty markets across North America. The company operates a nationwide manufacturing and distribution footprint with 34 strategically located facilities, including 27 manufacturing plants and 7 terminals, enabling reliable, local supply to customers across the United States. Usalco products help treat drinking water for more than 130 million people, supporting public health, regulatory compliance, and environmental sustainability.

Our Research & Development organization is based at Usalco's flagship Baltimore Research & Technology Center, a state‑of‑the‑art facility dedicated to advancing coagulation science, developing next‑generation water treatment solutions, and translating laboratory innovation into full‑scale commercial impact.

Position Summary

Usalco is seeking a Research Scientist to serve as a senior technical contributor within our R&D organization. This role is ideal for an experienced industrial chemist who thrives in a lab‑based, applied research environment and has a strong track record of originating, leading, and translating research into commercialized water treatment products and process improvements.

The successful candidate will act as a technical authority in their domain, leading research projects from concept through commercialization and serving as a company‑wide resource for process optimization, troubleshooting, and advanced chemical problem solving.

The Research Scientist is expected to personally design, run, document, and interpret experiments, not merely direct work performed by others.

Reporting to: Senior Research Director

This is an individual contributor role with technical leadership responsibilities and no direct people management.

Key Responsibilities

• Originate and lead applied research programs aligned with business needs, from early‑stage concept development through laboratory validation, scale‑up support, and product launch/commercialization, with clear ownership to drive projects to achieve defined technical and business goals
• Own project execution by defining workplans, milestones, and deliverables and maintaining timeline accountability typical of an applied R&D organization focused on practical, scalable solutions
• Personally design and execute laboratory experiments, including hands‑on bench work, data analysis, documentation, and interpretation involving organic, inorganic and aluminum-based chemistries, with emphasis on water treatment performance, stability, and manufacturability
• Serve as a lead chemist supporting company‑wide process optimization, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis across manufacturing sites and customer applications
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior scientists, chemists, and analysts, including experimental design guidance and data interpretation
• Translate fundamental chemistry insights into practical, scalable solutions that improve product performance, reliability, cost, or sustainability
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Operations, Technical Service, Product Management, and Sales to support product launches, customer trials, and technical issue resolution
• Author and review technical documentation, including experimental reports, internal technical guidance, and intellectual property disclosures
• Maintain high standards for laboratory safety, data integrity, and regulatory compliance, consistent with Usalco's safety‑first culture
• Stay current with emerging regulatory drivers and industry trends (e.g., PFAS, DBPs, LCRI) relevant to water treatment chemistry

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry (or closely related field)
• 5+ years of technical experience in an industrial or applied research environment
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical projects with limited supervision
• Strong experimental skills and comfort working in a hands‑on laboratory setting
• Proven record of translating research outcomes into commercial or operational impact
• Experience developing and launching products in the water treatment industry (municipal and/or industrial), including supporting customer trials and commercial readiness
• Willingness and ability to work on‑site at Usalco's Baltimore Research & Development Center

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with a formal New Product Development / Stage‑Gate process is preferred
• Deep experience with inorganic and aluminum‑based coagulant chemistries (e.g., PAC, ACH, alum, sodium aluminate); coagulant‑specific chemistry experience is a plus
• Specific experience addressing contaminants of concern in the water treatment industry (e.g., PFAS and related emerging issues) is considered a plus
• Background in inorganic process chemistry and chemical manufacturing considerations
• Experience in municipal or industrial water treatment, including coagulation, contaminant removal, or process optimization
• Familiarity with analytical techniques commonly used in water treatment R&D (e.g., jar testing, ICP‑OES, TOC, UV‑Vis, stability studies)
• Prior experience acting as a technical expert supporting manufacturing plants or customer‑facing teams

Why Join Usalco

• Work in a modern, well‑equipped R&D facility focused on real‑world impact
• Lead chemistry that directly supports clean water, sustainability, and public health
• Operate on a technical career ladder that values depth, expertise, and influence
• Collaborate with experienced scientists, engineers, and field experts across the organization

Competitive compensation aligned with senior‑level technical contribution

USALCO is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. As a general policy, USALCO does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future.