Principal Scientist

Apply now »

Date: Nov 21, 2025

Location: Columbia, MD, US, 21044

Company: W. R. Grace & Co.

Annual Wage Range:  $173,000.00  - $185,000.00 
Other Compensation:  Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses 
Benefits: U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.

Job Description

Member of the Polyolefin Materials Science Group within the Specialty Catalyst business. This position in Columbia, MD is responsible for the identification of polyolefin technology gaps, articulation and leadership of catalyst technology platforms to address gaps and implementation of new catalyst technology working with internal and external customers.

Responsibilities (1 of 2)

  • Innovation development responsibilities include defining key technology platforms that enable the business to keep the technical edge in the industry
  • Leading catalyst projects included in the business growth portfolio
  • Develop structure-property relationships for PO products from GRACE® advanced catalyst systems; and support polyolefin products troubleshooting as required by Grace clients
  • Responsible for R&D Leadership at the Customer Interface, including serving as a member of customer clients’ teams providing PO products technology expertise
  • Develop with the UNIPOL® PP client team members client plans and tactics to support the strategy and UNIPOL PP start-up activities
  • Develop customer-driven products for the UNIPOL® PP standard product list; and participate in multi-functional teams implementing new catalyst developments for GRACE® customers

Responsibilities (2 of 2)

  • Intellectual property responsibilities include using best scientific practices to explore technology options and generate intellectual property that increases GRACE® technical leadership in the marketplace
  • Document technology development in scientific reports that build on GRACE® technical capability writing invention disclosures and patents on polyolefin products to protect GRACE® technology
  • Monitor competitive patents and develop strategies on designated patents to maintain GRACE®’s technical position in the industry
  • Write external papers that showcase GRACE® technology leadership in catalysis and polyolefins products.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Material Science or U.S. equivalent
  • Five (5) years of experience in the job or as Product/Application Development Director, Plant Manager or closely related occupation within the specialty chemical/petrochemical industry responsible for managing initiatives for the development and innovation of products, applications and businesses, including designing and developing new Polypropylene products, and leading pure and applied research projects.
  • Must have at least one (1) year of experience within the specialty catalysts business working on highly specialized catalyst technology for polyolefins production and sustainability, including identifying polyolefin technology, supporting polyolefin products troubleshooting, defining and leading key catalyst technology platforms and development projects, applying technical capabilities in the area of polymer product development
  • Experience must include utilizing Minitab (Statistical tool), PatBase and PatSnap (Patent monitoring software), and technical information Searching in database as ACS, Sciencedirect and Elsevier.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance and Disability
  • Grace Wellness Program
  • Flexible Workplace
  • Retirement Plans
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation and Holidays
  • Parental Leave (salaried only)
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Company Donation Match Program

Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.


Nearest Major Market: Baltimore