Sr. Research Chemist, Photochromic Dye

PPG's Specialty Coatings and Materials business is looking for a Senior Research Chemist to support the development and scale-up of photochromic dyes used in smart/transition eyewear. You will combine hands-on laboratory research with process development, focusing on translating organic synthesis from bench scale to pilot and manufacturing operations.

You will have expertise in organic synthesis, process optimization, and scale-up chemistry, while working with multiple teams to accelerate commercialization of new photochromic products. You will report to the Senior Research Manager and sit onsite in our Monroeville, PA site.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop synthetic routes from laboratory to pilot/plant scale.

• Improve process yield, purity, throughput, cycle time, and cost through data-driven experimentation.

• Investigate reaction kinetics, impurity profiles, and mass balance to support process decisions.

• Perform hands-on laboratory work, including synthesis, purification, and scale-up activities.

• Document experimental procedures, results, and process updates using electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN) and digital data systems.

• Collaborate with analytical, engineering, QA, production, and project teams to ensure successful technology transfer.

• Communicate findings through technical reports and presentations.

• Support team productivity improvements and workflow efficiencies.

• Experience with flow chemistry/reactors is advantageous.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry (or related field) with 2–5 years of industrial process development experience

OR

• MS in Organic Chemistry (or related field) with 6+ years of industrial process development experience

• Background in modern organic synthesis

• Experience with process development and scale-up from bench to kilo-lab/pilot scale

• Expertise in reaction optimization and process troubleshooting

• You will have hands-on experience with:

· HPLC

· GC

· Column chromatography

· NMR interpretation

· GPC interpretation

• Understanding of small-molecule process development

• Experience with synthesis equipment and instrumentation

• Proficiency with digital tools such as ELN, SAP, and laboratory data systems

As a top choice candidate, you will have any of the following:

• Experience with photochromic compounds, specialty chemicals, or dyes

• Polymer chemistry/process experience

• Experience transferring laboratory processes to manufacturing

• Evidence of innovation that improved efficiency, yield, quality, or cost

#LI-Onsite

PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, Family leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.

About us: 

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™ 

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X. 

The PPG Way 2030  

We are customer champions 

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow. 

We act with purpose and speed 

Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.  

We are excellent operators 

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.   

We compete to win 

Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths. 

We are PPG proud 

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world. 

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hir