Senior Scientist - Critical Materials

Senior Scientist
- Critical Materials

Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what's possible. At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines.

And so much more.

Corning Research & Development Corporate's Organic Materials Directorate specializes in addressing technical challenges involving organic materials across all Corning businesses. By leveraging advanced expertise in organic synthesis—particularly using Advanced Flow Reactor (AFR) technology—the team excels in design, synthesis, and extraction of high value critical materials. This role serves as a key synthetic chemist supporting Corning's strategic efforts in Critical Materials, including pharmaceutical intermediates, energetic materials, and critical minerals.

The position centers on innovation in material synthesis and extraction using AFR technology as a core enabling platform, with responsibilities spanning synthetic route design, process development, data generation, IP support, and cross-functional project leadership and execution:

• Designing novel molecules and reaction pathways to enable efficient synthesis and processing of target materials across batch and flow platforms.
• Developing, optimizing, and scaling chemical processes, including reaction screening, condition optimization, troubleshooting, and translation from lab-scale to pilot or production-relevant systems.
• Driving innovation in critical minerals extraction, leveraging fundamental chemistry principles to improve yield, selectivity, cost-efficiency, and process robustness.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including materials characterization, engineering, and project management, to deliver integrated solutions and meet project objectives.
• Ensuring safe and effective laboratory operations, including contributing to the development and continuous improvement of safety practices, protocols, and compliant experimental workflows.
• Monitoring scientific and technological trends in synthetic chemistry, process chemistry, and related fields (including flow chemistry) to identify and drive new opportunities for innovation and business impact.
• Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and documenting experimental data to support technical decision-making, intellectual property generation, and patent filings.

Experiences/Education

- Required:

• PhD degree in Polymer, Organic Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques such as NMR, GC-MS, UPLC, and FTIR.

Experiences/Education
- Desired:

• Experience in critical mineral extraction.
• Demonstrated experience with batch synthesis of small organic molecules and/or polymers, including synthesis, purifications, and characterizations; experience in scale-up is highly preferred.
• Excellent documentation and data analysis skills for intellectual property and reporting.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to interact with customers and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working in a fast-paced project environment to meet deadlines.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship. The range for this position is $87,079.00 - $ assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

Corning offers you the total package. Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one. Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win. As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career.

Combined with…