Good morning! Between May 10 and May 14, there were 54 new positions posted on the ACS Careers website. Of these, 5 (9%) were academically connected and 36 (67%) were from Kelly Scientific Resources.
East Walpole, MA: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is looking for a Ph.D. organic chemist with experience in chemiluminescence. 2+ years experience desired.
Are you on the journey?: BASF is hiring a Ph.D. chemist with 3+ years experience in graphene research and gas-phase synthesis of carbon materials. They've an interesting way of putting the experience level they want: "The position requires a fully qualified professional at the journey level."
Chandler, AZ: Intel Corporation desires a B.S.-to-Ph.D. process engineer; experience in the semiconductor processing field desired.
Now this is the way to do it: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories is looking for a safety coordinator. What's the first thing they're asking for?
Cambridge, MA: Vertex is still hiring on the development side of the house (ever notice they barely hire any medicinal chemists, especially permanent ones?): they're looking for a DSC chemist (zero years experience for Ph.D. chemists!), among others.
You again: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation still hasn't found the polishing slurry chemist they've been looking for. Shortage!
Oklahoma City, OK: Tronox is looking for a M.S./Ph.D. chemist with experience in both polymer chemistry and titanium dioxide applications.
UPDATE: Anon051520121207p correctly notes that I forgot the 1 medicinal chemistry of the recent past!
South San Francisco: Genentech wishes to hire a Ph.D. chemist (2+ years experience) to be a discovery chemistry scientist. Here's the core of the ad:
East Walpole, MA: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is looking for a Ph.D. organic chemist with experience in chemiluminescence. 2+ years experience desired.
Are you on the journey?: BASF is hiring a Ph.D. chemist with 3+ years experience in graphene research and gas-phase synthesis of carbon materials. They've an interesting way of putting the experience level they want: "The position requires a fully qualified professional at the journey level."
Chandler, AZ: Intel Corporation desires a B.S.-to-Ph.D. process engineer; experience in the semiconductor processing field desired.
Now this is the way to do it: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories is looking for a safety coordinator. What's the first thing they're asking for?
Candidates MUST HAVE a detailed, hands-on understanding of chemistry and/or laser safety and extensive experience in chemical or laser research; excellent people skills; and a demonstrated proactive attitude towards safety. Education: Minimum of Masters’ Degree in Chemistry or related scientific or safety discipline, and 1-3 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.If I were hiring a safety coordinator, that's how I would do it, too.
Cambridge, MA: Vertex is still hiring on the development side of the house (ever notice they barely hire any medicinal chemists, especially permanent ones?): they're looking for a DSC chemist (zero years experience for Ph.D. chemists!), among others.
You again: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation still hasn't found the polishing slurry chemist they've been looking for. Shortage!
Oklahoma City, OK: Tronox is looking for a M.S./Ph.D. chemist with experience in both polymer chemistry and titanium dioxide applications.
UPDATE: Anon051520121207p correctly notes that I forgot the 1 medicinal chemistry of the recent past!
South San Francisco: Genentech wishes to hire a Ph.D. chemist (2+ years experience) to be a discovery chemistry scientist. Here's the core of the ad:
Individuals need to possess a thorough understanding of synthetic chemistry and demonstrate a strong record of achievement in at least two pharmaceutical development programs. Qualified candidates will play a significant role in the management of current small molecule projects and leading multidisciplinary teams.
Ph.D. in organic chemistry with at least 2 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and demonstrated impact on drug discovery programs (patents, process improvements, publications, etc), including team leadership experience.There's a title/experience/job description/requirements mismatch here that I don't quite understand.
Quick! We need to invest more money in STEM education, there's a shortage of polishing slurry chemists who will work for $10/hr!
ReplyDeleteCJ, you forgot to include the Genentech position (PhD w/ minimum of 2 years in Pharma) that will probably be swamped with a gazillion applications!
ReplyDelete@1207pm
ReplyDeleteAnd most those applications will be for PhDs with 20+ years experience. Good thing Genentech clarified it only wants to pay for 2+ years experience!
CJ, bear in mind that the Genentech post asks for *at least* 2 years experience. Even if one were to sell his/her soul to the devil, the likelihood of having enough time within two years to "demonstrate a strong record of achievement in at least two pharmaceutical development programs" would be nil.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, this is how I interpret the post:
You better be the "shiznit" in lab; plus it doesn't hurt a solid academic pedigree. Otherwise, don't bother applying.
I agree with your assessment, esp. the part about 2 development programs. Thus, the "I dunna understand" bit.
DeleteHey CJ do you ever find (or do you search for) entry level chemist positions? I just graduated last week and really hope to land something soon...somewhere above Lab Tech.
ReplyDeleteHello, NS -- welcome to the blog. Whenever I see non-Kelly positions that are looking for entry-level positions, I do what I can do highlight them. (If you perform the search "site:chemjobber.blogspot.com zeroes!" in Google, you might see what kind of entry-level position that I highlight.)
DeleteI might suggest that you look into the Kelly listings or your local science/biotech section of Craiglist to see what is being offered. Lab tech positions are pretty traditional for new B.S. graduates; sorry, if that's disappointing.
Best wishes, N.S. Please feel free to e-mail me at chemjobber -at- gmail/dot/com for more specific questions.
Thanks for the quick reply!
DeleteThis is depressing. Every post I see requires a PhD with at least 2+ years of relevant experience. there is just no room for a MS entry level chemist.
ReplyDeleteI definitely dont want to invest another 4 years of my life getting a PhD and be jobless like I am now. should I find an alternative career or change my identity to avoid paying my student loans?
I'm sorry -- times are still tough. An alternative career is probably preferable to remaining jobless for any significant amount of time, but it's all up to you and your personal cost/benefit calculus.
DeletePlease feel free to e-mail if you have more questions.
Completely agree with you, Anon 3:56. MS fairly fresh out of school and jobs are not to be had. I was told an MS would make me more likely to be hired than Phd since they'd rather not pay for the doc. All I see are Phd level jobs requiring years of experience and lab tech jobs paying 15/hr. Did I just waste years of my life being paid crap, teaching silly undergrads, and working in the lab at 9pm on a friday night to be where I would have been right out of college? Awesome. Good bye, early twenties, nice knowing you.
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