OxyChem Scientist

Contribute. Grow. Lead...with OxyChem. Looking for a challenge? Desire to achieve your true potential? OxyChem is a growing, action-oriented, safety driven chemical manufacturing company continually striving to be the best in the business while staying focused on environmental protection. The secret to our success has and will continue to be our people.

OxyChem, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading producer of essential chemistry with operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. OxyChem’s products play an essential role in everyday life, supporting critical applications in water treatment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, personal hygiene, and residential and commercial construction. OxyChem actively participates in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Program, underscoring our commitment to safety. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, OxyChem is a top three U.S. manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride, chlor-alkali and chlorinated organic chemicals, and calcium chloride. Visit oxychem.com for more information.

In a fast-paced industry that demands precision, we create a supportive workplace where the safety and well-being of our employees are paramount. We are committed to rewarding top performers, offering very competitive pay and benefits, and providing tremendous career development opportunities.

We are looking for an experienced and self-motivated individual contributor to fill the position of Scientist within our Technology organization.  The position will reside at our Technical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

This position is responsible for leading R&D activities to support OxyChem’s Business objectives.

• Maintain as our highest priority the protection of the environment, the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and/or transport our products.
• Understand and work in accordance with all site safety and environmental procedures including the site Chemical Hygiene Plan.  Adhere to the use of personal protective equipment as required.
• Identify, recommend, and manage research activities to develop new products, improve existing products, reduce manufacturing costs, improve safety, improve quality, or reduce environmental impact of OxyChem products.
• Apply advanced understanding of chemistry and technical expertise to the planning and execution of significant, complex, or innovative technologies related to the synthesis, manufacture, and applications of organic and inorganic chemicals.
• Maintain current awareness of significant trends and advances in chemistry or markets, and initiate and recommend new technology for project development or use in manufacturing.
• Produce clear, concise, accurate, and timely written and oral reports in which conclusions and recommendations are effectively supported by analytical and/or research data and supporting literature.
• Serve as technical specialist and resource person for major process and/or product technologies.
• Understand raw material selection choices and work with vendors to evaluate and develop new products and technologies.
• Act as liaison and provide technical support to manufacturing, marketing, and business management through the identification, planning, and execution of joint projects and/or implementation of new technologies. 
• Participate in the Wichita Plant process safety programs to complete Process Hazard Analysis, to complete the Management of Change requirements, and to investigate process safety incidents.  Ensure process safety information is current and accurate for the physical assets (P & IDs), for the process conditions (PFDs), for the process chemistry (SDSs), and for the technician-process activities (procedures and work instructions).

​Minimum Qualifications:

• Master or Doctorate degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in chemistry and/or industry research and development.  Emphasis in chlorination chemistry, organic chemistry, and/or photochemistry is desired. OR Bachelor's degree in Chemistry with 10 years of chemical industry experience with a minimum of 5 years experience in the development or support of chlorinated organic manufacturing or processing technology.
• Ability to design, construct and/or assemble, operate, and troubleshoot non-routine laboratory experimental apparatus.  Collect samples, analyze data, and draw conclusions from the results.
• Proficient in the operation and maintenance of analytical instrumentation.
• High degree of problem solving and organizational skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable presenting information to all levels of management, vendors, and customers.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in teams.
• Must be able to handle multiple complex issues at the same time.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with public domain technical and patent literature.
• May require domestic travel as required to support assignments.
• Physical requirements – Must be able to lift 40 pounds, climb ladders, and stairs.  Walking, bending, stooping is required.  Must be able to wear personal protective equipment as required.  Must be able to respond to visual and audible alarms.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in an industrial R&D or Technology organization.
• PhD dissertation topic or direct professional experience with chlorination chemistry, organic chemistry, and/or photochemistry.
• Experience operating, constructing, and maintaining pilot scale fluid-bed or fixed-bed reactors and peripheral equipment.
• Formal statistics training.

Fraud Statement:

It has come to our attention that various individuals and/or organizations are contacting people falsely pretending to recruit on behalf of OxyChem. Please be aware that these recruiting scams and communications do not originate, nor are they associated with our recruitment process. All OxyChem job postings and offers will require a completed application through our company website.
 
OxyChem does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruiting process. We will never:
 
•  Ask you to pay for applications, interviews, meetings, processing, training or for any other fees
 
•  Use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an advance fee of any kind or
 
•  Request personal information such as passport and bank account details at an early stage of our recruitment process.
 
We recommend against responding to unsolicited business propositions or offers from people you don't know. Do not disclose your personal or financial details. If you believe you have been the victim of a recruiting scam, please contact your local police department.