Senior Scientist, Reference Standards — Hands-On Chemistry

Restek Corporation; Bellefonte (Centre County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Unlimited sick time

Onsite fitness center

Wellness program

Childcare reimbursement

Adoption assistance

ESOP retirement plan

Job summary

Restek Corporation in Bellefonte, PA is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead synthesis, purification, and optimization of reference standard compounds (PFAS, PAHs, pesticides) to support high-quality testing inventories.

The role is hands-on at the bench with small-scale synthesis, distillation, recrystallization, and chromatography, with opportunities to scale processes for manufacturing while mentoring junior chemists.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of relevant chemistry experience (PhD optional).
• Hands-on experience with organic synthesis and purification techniques.
• Comfort working independently at the bench and documenting procedures.
• Experience with PFAS, PAHs, pesticides is a plus.
• Willingness to mentor others and share technical knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize, purify, and optimize reference standard compounds, including PFAS, PAHs, and pesticides.
• Perform hands-on synthesis and purification using small scale equipment, distillation, recrystallization, and chromatography (LC-MS prep systems).
• Write and maintain clear SOPs and experience reports documenting procedures and results.
• Support transfer of optimized processes into Manufacturing in collaboration with Analytical Development and Product Management.
• Mentor and train junior chemists and deliver internal technical presentations.

Skills

Synthesis & purification

Bench chemistry

Documentation

Mentoring

Communication

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

10+ years chemistry experience

Ph.D. preferred but not required

Tools

LC-MS

Chromatography equipment

Small scale synthesis equipment

Job description

Restek Corporation in Bellefonte, PA is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead synthesis, purification, and optimization of reference standard compounds (PFAS, PAHs, pesticides) to support high-quality testing inventories.

The role is hands-on at the bench with small-scale synthesis, distillation, recrystallization, and chromatography, with opportunities to scale processes for manufacturing while mentoring junior chemists.