Job Description

About OHR

OHR is pioneering a new era of chemical manufacturing built on Creationary Chemistry™ , a platform that merges biological intelligence with primordial chemistry to create essential molecules in ways that are cleaner, smarter, and independent from traditional oil-based supply chains . We design and scale chemistry that matters most, delivering strategic chemicals with deterministic carbon chains and minimal contaminants, strengthening industrial resilience and global sovereignty. Our work spans advanced synthetic pathways, catalysis, and scalable process design, with real-world impact across fuels, materials, and critical industrial sectors

At OHR, chemistry isn’t a support function, it’s a creative engine. We’re building the Creationary Chemistry™ platform to unlock new ways of making critical molecules the world depends on, from aerospace and aviation fuels to emerging, proprietary materials that don’t exist yet.

We’re looking for a Director of our Chemistry R&D Platform who wants to shape how chemistry is invented, scaled, and transferred into the real world . This role sits at the intersection of discovery, process design, catalysis, and manufacturing, leading teams across locations and translating bold ideas into robust, scalable chemistry.

If you’re energized by hard problems, cross-disciplinary teams, and the responsibility of turning fundamental chemistry into deployed technology, you’ll feel at home here.

You’ll own the chemistry vision and execution for OHR’s Creationary Chemistry™ platform, from early reaction discovery to pilot- and manufacturing-ready processes.

Core responsibilities include:

• Setting the technical direction for synthetic and process chemistry across multiple OHR R&D sites

• Driving discovery of novel organic and synthetic reaction pathways that leverage OHR’s proprietary enzymatic intermediates

• Leading reaction and process development, including solvent systems, catalysts, kinetics, and operating conditions

• Designing, optimizing, and scaling catalytic processes (acid/base catalysis, heterogeneous supported-metal and inorganic catalysis, hydrogenation, hydrodeoxygenation, and related systems)

• Developing, testing, and scaling novel heterogeneous inorganic catalysts, including identifying and managing external partners

• Overseeing analytical strategy and method development (internally and with partners) to quantitatively understand and optimize reactions

• Building testing and characterization protocols for aviation, aerospace, and emerging OHR product portfolios

• Translating lab-scale chemistry into manufacturable processes through close collaboration with Manufacturing and external partners

• Defining long-term research roadmaps and IP strategies to strengthen and defend the Creationary Chemistry™ platform

• Recruiting, mentoring, and growing a world-class chemistry team

• Partnering with Project Management and Executive leadership to track R&D progress, milestones, and KPIs

• Setting the standard for lab safety, chemical hygiene, and responsible research practices

You’ve been in the trenches, and you know how to lead others there thoughtfully. 

You have a builder mindset, this role is for someone who wants to build, not just manage. You’re comfortable operating without established playbooks, motivated by ambiguity, and energized by creating systems, technical, organizational, and cultural—from the ground up.

You may be coming from a large industrial, energy, or chemical organization, but you’re ready to trade established infrastructure for speed, ownership, and real technical influence. 

At OHR, leaders are hands-on, decisive, and deeply engaged in the work they lead.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Chemistry or a closely related field

• A demonstrated record of excellence in laboratory safety and chemical hygiene

• Experience leading multiple chemistry R&D teams simultaneously

• Deep hands-on experience with synthetic pathway discovery and development

• Proven leadership in process chemistry and reaction optimization

• Experience developing and evaluating heterogeneous metal catalysts for hydrogenation and reduction chemistry

• Experience with acid- and base-catalyzed reaction systems

• Strong background in analytical method development and interpretation, including GC-FID, HPLC, LC/MS, GC/MS, NMR, and ICP

• Experience managing international technical teams and/or external technical partnerships

• Hands-on experience converting batch chemistry to flow or continuous processes

• A track record of hiring, training, and mentoring early-career scientists

• Ability to manage ITAR- and export-controlled information

Nice to have:

• Prior experience working directly with ITAR-regulated programs

You’re comfortable operating without established playbooks, and motivated by building systems, technical and organizational, from the ground up

• Onsite, 5 days per week, in a fast-moving R&D environment

• Hands-on work in BSL-1 and HazMat labs with flammable, corrosive, and other hazardous materials

• Up to ~20% travel to support partners, facilities, and program needs

OHR is an equal opportunity employer. We believe breakthrough science comes from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to building an inclusive, respectful, and ambitious workplace.

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