---
title: 'Catalysis Scientist Specialist at Braskem'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/catalysis-scientist-specialist-braskem-pittsburgh-k34eqx8n27rq'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-07'
---

# Catalysis Scientist Specialist at Braskem

- **Company:** Braskem
- **Location:** Pittsburgh, PA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-26
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/braskem/jobs/8044460003

## Job description

With a strategy centered on people and sustainability, Braskem is engaged in contributing to the value chain to strengthen the Circular Economy. Braskem’s 9,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improving people's lives through sustainable solutions in chemicals and plastics. With its corporate DNA rooted in innovation, Braskem offers a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse industries, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, health and hygiene, and more. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports its products to clients in over 70 countries.

Braskem America is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with six production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, as well as an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh and a New Renewable Innovation Center in Lexington, which focuses on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and chemical catalysis. For more information, visit [www.braskem.com/usa](http://www.braskem.com/usa).

Department: Innovation & Technology

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Travel Involved: Less than 25%

Job Type: Hybrid

Description:

Braskem is seeking a motivated scientist to support research and development activities within the Global Catalysis organization. The Global Catalysis organization discovers and develops catalytic solutions to support Braskem's strategic goals in bio-based chemicals, specialty products, and polyolefins catalysis.

The successful candidate will have a strong foundation in heterogeneous catalysis and catalyst development, with experience gained through doctoral research and/or early industrial practice. The scientist will contribute to catalyst synthesis, characterization, testing, and technology development projects while working closely with multidisciplinary teams across research, engineering, analytical sciences, and manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities Include:

- Contribute to catalysis research projects focused on developing new catalysts and processes to improve process performance and enable new product development.
- Design and execute experimental programs for the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of heterogeneous catalysts.
- Analyze experimental data and correlate catalyst properties with catalytic performance.
- Support the development of zeolite-based and metal-supported catalyst systems through laboratory-scale research activities.
- Contribute to catalyst preparation activities including synthesis, modification, shaping, and metal deposition.
- Assist in catalyst scale-up and technology transfer activities by collaborating with internal teams and external partners.
- Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate project results and recommendations.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including process engineering, analytical sciences, manufacturing, and business stakeholders.
- Contribute ideas for new catalyst concepts, experimental approaches, and research methodologies.
- Participate in technology exchanges and knowledge-sharing activities across the Global Catalysis organization.
- Support intellectual property development through invention disclosures, patent support, and documentation of technical advances.
- Maintain a strong commitment to safety, laboratory excellence, and continuous learning.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical foundation in heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst synthesis, and characterization. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to independently plan and execute experimental work, analyze complex datasets, and effectively communicate technical findings. Success in this role requires curiosity, initiative, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.

Hands-on experience gained through doctoral research, postdoctoral work, or early industrial experience in catalyst development is preferred. Experience with catalyst synthesis, characterization, and reactor testing is highly desirable

Preferred Skills, Education, and Experience:

- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
- Zero to five (0-5) years of industrial and/or postdoctoral experience in catalysis research and development.
- Fundamental understanding of heterogeneous catalysis principles and catalyst structure-performance relationships.
- Experience in catalyst synthesis, catalyst characterization, and catalyst performance evaluation through graduate research, postdoctoral work, or industrial experience.
- Hands-on experience with zeolite synthesis or other porous material synthesis techniques.
- Familiarity with post-synthesis modification methods for zeolites and porous materials, including ion exchange, steaming, dealumination, desilication, or related approaches.
- Experience with catalyst preparation and metal deposition methods such as incipient wetness impregnation, wet impregnation, ion exchange, deposition-precipitation, or related techniques.
- Familiarity with catalyst characterization techniques such as XRD, BET surface area analysis, TPD, TPR, chemisorption, SEM, TEM, ICP, XRF, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, solid-state NMR, or similar analytical methods.
- Experience designing and conducting laboratory experiments, including catalyst screening and reactor testing.
- Knowledge of reaction engineering, kinetics, reactor design, or process development is desirable.
- Exposure to scale-up, manufacturing support, or technology transfer activities is a plus but not required.
- Strong data analysis and technical problem-solving skills.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical results clearly.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong safety mindset and commitment to laboratory excellence.
- Enthusiasm for learning, innovation, and continuous professional development

## What we offer

At Braskem, we offer more than just a competitive pay package. Our total rewards package includes a wide range of benefits you need for every stage of your life. Our benefits include:

- Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
- Retirement Benefits
- Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Life Insurance
- Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Teladoc
- A wide range of voluntary benefits like Pet Insurance, Legal and ID Theft Insurance
- Flexible work schedules like 9/80 schedules for eligible team members

Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level and/or ladder.

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States without the need for any type of sponsorship now or in the future. Braskem is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees according to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team.

## About Braskem

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Braskem is the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas and a global leader in biopolymers, producing polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC for diverse industrial applications.
- **Entity Type**: Publicly traded (B3 Stock Exchange, ISE B3 index)
- **Headquarters**: São Paulo, Brazil
- **Founded**: 2002 (from the integration of six companies from the Odebrecht Organization and the Mariani Group)
- **Founders**: Odebrecht Organization and Mariani Group

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Chemical and petrochemical manufacturing, with a focus on thermoplastic resins and basic chemicals.
- **Target customers**: B2B – packaging, automotive, healthcare, cosmetics, textiles, agriculture, construction, electronics, and industrial users across 71 countries.
- **Mission/purpose**: “We work continuously to improve people’s lives by creating sustainable solutions through chemicals and plastics.” [braskem.com/home-en]

## Products & Services
- **Thermoplastic Resins**: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – the core product lines, supplied to converters (third-generation transformation companies).
- **Basic Chemicals**: Ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene, solvents, and other intermediates used internally and sold externally.
- **I’m green™ Bio-based PE**: A flagship renewable product made from sugarcane ethanol (100% renewable source); sales reached an all-time record of 191 thousand tons in 2024 (23% growth over 2023). [braskem.com/profile]
- **Specialties and Intermediates**: Additional chemicals and specialty polymers for specific customer needs.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly available from provided sources; as a public company, market cap fluctuates and is not quoted here.
- **Key Metric**: Net Revenue of R$ 14.4 billion in 2024. [braskem.com/profile]
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Originally founded by Odebrecht (now Novonor) and Mariani Group. No specific recent investor names are listed in the search results.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - 39 industrial units, 14 business offices, 7 innovation centers globally.
  - 8,000+ team members in 11 countries.
  - New Renewable Ethylene Plant in Thailand (FEED contract awarded to Toyo Engineering).
  - Renewables Innovation Center inaugurated in Lexington, Massachusetts.
  - Industrial Decarbonization Program estimated to reduce 1.1 million tons of CO₂e.
  - Served over 71 countries across five continents. [braskem.com/profile]

## Competitive Advantages
- **Scale**: Largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas and the leading polypropylene producer in the U.S.
- **Integration**: Only integrated first- and second-generation petrochemical company in Brazil – from basic chemicals to resins, providing cost and efficiency advantages.
- **Bio-based Leadership**: World leader in biopolymers (I’m green™ PE) with 100% renewable sourcing.
- **Sustainability Credentials**: CDP Climate and Water A-list, Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, UN Global Compact LEAD group, and recognition for circular economy best practices.
- **Global Footprint**: Industrial units and R&D centers in Brazil, U.S., Mexico, Germany, Netherlands, and Asia, enabling proximity to key markets.

## Strategic Focus
- **Circular Economy**: Ambition to lead recycling in the Americas and develop the recycling supply chain.
- **Carbon Neutrality**: Targeting carbon neutrality through operational eco-efficiency, decarbonization programs, and renewable feedstocks.
- **Innovation & Digitization**: Investment in new technologies (e.g., SAP BTP, automation) and continuous improvement in industrial operations.
- **2030 Corporate Strategy**: Emphasizes financial discipline, competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable development. [braskem.com/profile]

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Room for everyone” – the company emphasizes autonomy, collaboration, freedom, and diversity. People are encouraged to “be themselves” and build their own career paths.
- **Diversity, Equity & Inclusion**: Formal ESG commitments with defined goals, recognition from Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and UN Women/ILO awards.
- **Work Environment**: Dynamic, inspiring, and flexible. “We want everyone to feel good here.” [braskem.com/careers]
- **Development Programs**: University internships, technical internships, operation training, and Young Apprentice program for early talent. Experienced professionals can apply via Greenhouse.
- **Safety**: Health and safety are “non-negotiable values” embedded in daily operations.
- **Locations**: Global presence with offices in multiple countries; current openings listed on Greenhouse include roles in Pittsburgh (PA), Neal (WV), La Porte (TX), Pasadena (TX), and Philadelphia (PA) – across R&D, engineering, environmental, and IT functions. [greenhouse.io]
- **Perks**: Not explicitly listed, but the emphasis on well-being, growth opportunities, and a purpose-driven mission (sustainability) are key attractors.

## Sources
1. [braskem.com](https://www.braskem.com/home-en)
2. [braskem.com/profile](https://www.braskem.com/profile)
3. [braskem.com/careers](https://www.braskem.com/careers)
4. [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/braskem)
5. [braskem.com.br/careers](https://www.braskem.com.br/careers)

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