Research Technologist

Elevance™ Renewable Sciences, Inc., a new specialty chemical company based on groundbreaking, proven technology, is harnessing the potential of natural oils to produce a portfolio of commercial products across multiple markets. Elevance was formed to institutionalize work started in 2004 in collaboration between Cargill, one of the world's largest producers of agricultural oils, and Materia, a leading edge technology organization leveraging patents from the California Institute of Technology (CalTech), to catalyze the commercial production of renewable chemicals. 

Elevance is backed by TPG, and is a high growth business with a leading market and IP position. We are the leader in using renewable or natural oils (e.g., soybean, canola, corn and sunflower oils) to create an extraordinarily wide variety of specialty chemical products using a broad range of proprietary, patent protected technologies, including Nobel Prize winning metathesis.

Elevance begins with a revenue base of approximately $20 Million and is projected to scale to over $1 Billion in 6 years and directly addresses a $20 Billion Market. We have strong IP protection, real revenue and catalyst technologies which are such that they create a compelling growth opportunity.

We currently have multiple opportunities for Research Technologists to work as a part of a team conducting laboratory experiments related to chemistry of natural products in our lab in Elevance's suburban Chicago area headquarters in Bolingbrook, IL.

Our current opportunities fall into the specialty areas of: Synthetic Chemistry; Process Chemistry;

Depending on the specialty area, responsibilities will include:

• Preparing and executing experimental assignments, primarily dealing with natural product chemistry, i.e., synthesis, purification, analysis, polymerization, scale-up and yield optimization)
• Preparing catalysts and formulating catalysts into fixed-bed and fluid-bed forms, and evaluation of catalyst performance in bench-scale equipment as well as gathering and reporting of test data, and maintaining/modifying bench scale process and laboratory equipment.
• Provide accurate and precise analytical and statistical analysis to meet the needs of technology and business programs.
• Maintain proper laboratory operations including: laboratory notebooks, instrumentation maintenance; quality control and assurance; safe work practices; laboratory housekeeping and supply stocks.
• Analyzing data for accuracy and consistency based on past experience.
• Using proper PPE, including respirators, gloves, safety glasses and goggles.
• Providing accurate routine and nonroutine analytical results within a reasonable time to meet business needs.
• Collecting instrument data and performing calculations to deliver correct results.
• Documenting work details in a laboratory notebook.
• Maintaining analytical instrumentation and laboratory infrastructure.
• Implementing and troubleshoots instrumentation software.
• Developing an understanding of the business needs for analytical.
• Construct equipment ranging from lab to pilot plant scale.

Below are the qualifications for ALL positions. Specific required and desired attributes for specialty areas follow.

• We are looking for a range of experience levels to fill various positions. A minimum of 3 years laboratory experience is required and up to 15 or more years is preferred for the lead positions.
• Bachelor degree in chemistry is preferred
• Ability to communicate both orally and written with all levels and functions of the organization is essential.
• Ability and desire to work in a collaborative team of scientists and engineers to solve problems.
• Desire to understand the chemistry, engineering, and technology utilized at Elevance.

Below are the required and desired experiences for specific specialty areas:

Synthetic chemistry technician

Required experience

• Experience setting up bench-scale organic chemistry reactions (up to 1L)
• Experience in standard organic techniques for product separation and purification
• Experience with air-free handling techniques such as Schlenk line and/or glovebox

Desirable experience

• Familiar with analytical techniques such as GC-FID and GC-MS
• Familiar with operation of high pressure reaction systems

Process chemistry technician

Required experience

• Expertise in operating and troubleshooting a Parr or other reactor system
• Experience operating large-scale distillation apparatus (1-2L samples)
• Experience with pipefitting, constructing/installing equipment using Swagelock and other process systems

Desirable experience

• Design of reactor systems (i.e. Visio)
• Experience scaling reactions from laboratory to pilot scale and/or manufacturing scale
• Pilot plant construction experience