Polymer Scientist

21h21 hours ago

Texas Research International

Austin, US · Full-time · $105,000 – $145,000

About this role

Texas Research International, a small business with a 40-year history as a first-class materials testing firm, seeks a Polymer Scientist. The role involves hands-on laboratory testing of high-performance polymer and composite materials such as resins, geosynthetics, plastic pipe, and related materials. Candidates must have a proven track record of laboratory testing experience.

Daily responsibilities include performing thermal analysis using TGA, DSC, TMA, and IR techniques. The scientist will conduct accelerated aging tests and chemical durability assessments on polymer materials. This hands-on work supports advanced testing initiatives in chemistry and polymer science.

Join a creative, organized team as a self-starter with excellent interpersonal and leadership skills. The environment emphasizes collaboration in a laboratory testing setting focused on industry standards. Interact with industry and government research sponsors on materials projects.

Opportunities involve managing testing projects, including scoping, costing, and scheduling. Develop skills in solving technical problems through scientific knowledge and experiments. Communicate results via laboratory notebooks, periodic reports, and presentations.

Requirements

MS Degree with minimum of 5+ years of experience or entry-level PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related disciplines
Experience in the laboratory testing environment
Knowledge of industry practices and standards with focus on testing of plastic materials
Experience working with geosynthetics and related plastic materials (preferred)
Effective technical communication skills, interpersonal communication skills, presentation skills, and technical writing skills
Ability to set goals and tasks to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines
Project management experience in leading materials testing projects
Experience interacting with industry and/or government research sponsors

Responsibilities

Perform thermal analysis (TGA, DSC, TMA, IR)
Conduct accelerated aging tests
Assess chemical durability of polymer materials
Execute hands-on laboratory testing of high-performance polymers and composites such as resins, geosynthetics, and plastic pipe
Manage testing initiatives requiring advanced concepts in chemistry and polymer science
Solve technical problems by combining scientific knowledge and hands-on experiments
Lead scoping, costing, and scheduling of materials testing projects
Detail and communicate results through laboratory notebooks, periodic project reports, and presentations