Organic Chemist - Industrial Postdoc

As an Organic Chemist Industrial Postdoc at altM, the candidate will work at the intersection of biomass valorization, catalysis, and applied organic synthesis to develop high-value molecules from renewable feedstocks. The role involves identifying promising molecular targets from biomass fractions such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives, and designing catalytic pathways for their conversion into commercially relevant chemicals and materials.

The candidate will be responsible for independently planning and executing laboratory reactions, optimizing conditions, and ensuring strict adherence to organic chemistry protocols and safety standards. This includes handling multi-step synthesis, functional group transformations, substitutions, purification, product isolation, and preliminary analytical characterization using standard laboratory techniques.

A key part of the role is interpreting reaction outcomes, understanding structure-property relationships, and evaluating early-stage technical feasibility with scalability in mind. The ideal candidate should possess strong chemistry fundamentals, sound mechanistic understanding, and the ability to work across diverse classes of molecules and reactions. We are looking for someone equally comfortable with hands-on lab work, solving difficult chemical problems, and challenging assumptions until the chemistry truly makes sense.

Responsibilities 

• Build and execute organic synthesis pathways for high-value molecules derived from biomass, working on chemistry that can directly shape the future of sustainable materials and chemicals. 
• Take ownership of reactions from idea to outcome and designing experiments, running synthesis, troubleshooting failures, and optimizing pathways for both performance and scalability. 
• Purify, isolate, and characterize molecules using techniques such as NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, IR, and other analytical tools to validate structure and performance. 
• Approach every reaction with a mechanistic mindset; understanding not just what happened, but why it happened, and how it can be made better. 
• Maintain rigorous experimental records and contribute to building strong scientific knowledge systems that accelerate innovation across the organization. 
• Stay close to cutting-edge literature, catalytic strategies, and emerging technologies, bringing fresh scientific thinking into day-to-day problem solving. 
• Work in a high-ownership environment where curiosity, first-principles thinking, and strong lab execution matter as much as technical expertise.

Requirements 

• PhD / Master's degree in organic chemistry / related field(s), or evidence of exceptional ability.
• 1-2+ years of industrial experience preferred.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of organic chemistry principles and techniques.
• Hands-on experience with organic synthesis, purification, and characterization methods.
• Proficiency in using laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced research environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting.
• Commitment to safety, compliance, and ethical conduct in scientific research.
• This is an onsite role and requires physical presence.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive cash compensation, negotiable for the right talent.

altM is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity or any other protected characteristic outlined in any central, state, or local laws.