R&D Scientist

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact.

“For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive.

When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact.

Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.

A Day in the Life

Reporting to the R&D Manager, the R&D Scientist based in Fuquay-Varina, NC will play a key role in our team’s development of cutting-edge soil, water, and vapor treatment technologies. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a rapidly growing, top-notch, collaborative environmental team focused on making a positive impact on the world.

The annual compensation range for this role is $80,000-$90,000, in addition to an annual discretionary bonus commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.

To thrive in this role, you’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities:

• Perform cutting-edge R&D experiments using ion exchange and adsorbents, focused on developing novel treatment technologies for drinking water, wastewater, landfill leachate, and other remediation applications.
• Design experiments, organize and implement tests, and ensure their relevance through high-level technical quality assurance of data. Conduct data analysis and interpretation for integration into comprehensive reports.
• Maintain effective communication across multiple internal departments and build and maintain relationships with clients.
• Be an integral part of our safety culture, approaching all aspects of work with a safety-first attitude.
• Assist with authoring scientific articles, as well as participating/presenting in national conferences.
• Work alongside the Field Services team to support pilot operations
• Assist with R&D efforts by supporting innovative treatment approaches at client sites.
• Support Business Development in writing proposals and communicating with clients about testing results
• Assist with full-scale system commissioning and startup.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Opportunity for travel up to 30%

Your Expertise and Skills

To perform this job successfully, individuals must be able to perform each duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  

• Master’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Competence with chromatographic, wet chemistry techniques, and general laboratory skills.
• Self-motivated with a high sense of urgency, willing to take hands-on work, and be able to manage several projects and tasks while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently or in a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Apply data analysis tools and statistical methods to interpret results, generate visualizations, and translate bench-scale findings into actionable recommendations for pilot-scale and full-scale implementation.
• Comfortable using hand and portable power tools.
• Ability to safely lift 40 lbs.
• Ability to be present Monday to Friday in person in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, between 9 AM and 5 PM.
• Ability to support occasional weekend work in the laboratory.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or related field.
• Experience with operating laboratory instruments (P&T GC, LC/MS/MS, TOC, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, pH/ORP/Conductivity/DO meters).
• Experience with sorbent column testing design and execution.
• Experience with pilot-scale water treatment evaluations
• Familiarity with common water treatment technologies, i.e., coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation, filtration, ion exchange, membrane separation, and biological treatment
• OSHA 40-hr HAZWOPER training.
• Track record of presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants. For US residents, click here to learn more.