Separations Scientist, Process Development

Job Description

Separations Scientist, Process Development – Decatur, IL
ADM Research & Development
This is an exempt level position.

ADM has an opening for a Separations Scientist, Process Development at our Corporate Research Center located in Decatur, IL!

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a mindset to seek opportunities and implement changes. This individual has an opportunity to grow as a recognized technical expert in the field of separation processes within ADM Process Development Group at the Research & Development Center - Decatur. This is a chance to work with cutting‑edge analytical tools with focus on delivering benefits to ADM’s existing processes as well as novel products in development.

The Scientist/Engineer will be responsible for supporting or leading the development of various downstream separation processes involving crystallization, membrane or adsorption technologies, depending on previous experience. This will include supporting production troubleshooting and continuous improvement efforts as well as developing new processes from bench to pilot demonstration and potentially to commercial scale production.

The candidate will be expected to work with diverse technical project teams towards the timely completion of project goals, requiring strong relations with plant operations, business development and R&D. A B.S. degree in a technical field (chemistry, chemical engineering, biological engineering) with a strong knowledge of chemistry and crystallization fundamentals is required. An advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master’s) in a technical field, ideally in separations process development, is preferred.

• A B.S. degree in a technical field (chemistry, chemical engineering, biological engineering) with 10+ years of industrial separations experience.
• A Ph.D. degree in a technical field (chemistry, chemical engineering, biological engineering preferred) or a Master’s degree in a technical field (chemistry or chemical engineering preferred), ideally with 10+ years of separations process development experience.
• Firm understanding of chemistry and underlying thermodynamics and kinetics of separations processes.
• Execute bench/kilo laboratory experimentation to design and optimize separations processes.
• Experience using Process Analytical Tools on a lab scale system.
• Process development may be directed to either benchtop or pilot scale processes.
• Work closely with Operations on troubleshooting and participate in optimization of existing processes.

• The candidate should thrive in the collaborative environment of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong knowledge of standard chemistry laboratory techniques.
• Laboratory skills, awareness of analytical methods, and a commitment to safety.
• Support both troubleshooting and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support or lead diverse technical project teams to evaluate, develop and transfer processes to production, depending on experience.
• Build strong relationships with plant operations and business units.
• Design and run experiments, including selection of sampling procedures, analytical methods and routine analysis.
• Train and potentially supervise other scientists, engineers and technicians.
• Design, set up, operate, and maintain lab and pilot separations equipment.
• Maintain housekeeping and observe safety standards in lab and pilot plant.
• Consolidate, interpret, and present data/conclusions/recommendations in written and oral formats.
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments (DoE), Multivariate Analysis, and statistics preferred.
• Technical background with various lab equipment and instrumentation e.g. NMR, GC, HPLC, IR, UV, RI, etc.
• Willing to learn project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to function within a matrix project management environment.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of time.

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to handle moderately heavy tools and materials, e.g. pipe wrenches, five-gallon buckets, and hand-carting 55-gallon drums.
• Ability to work in a commercial plant environment to support operations as needed.