Polymer Scientist - Rheology

1d1 day ago

Avery Dennison

Mentor, US · Full-time · $120,000 – $165,000

About this role

Avery Dennison Corporation is a global materials science company providing branding and information solutions across industries like home care, apparel, and automotive. The Polymer Scientist - Rheology role is with the Materials Science and Characterization Group in Mentor, OH, supporting Global R&D. It focuses on deploying deep rheology expertise to address adhesion, release, coating, and polymer processing challenges.

The position involves using experimental, theoretical, and modeling-based understanding of viscoelasticity in polymer melts, solutions, and soft matter. Apply structure-process-property principles with materials chemistry, adhesion science, and surface/interface physics for practical applications. Solve urgent manufacturing and quality issues from global operations.

Work in cross-functional teams with synthetic scientists, characterization experts, predictive modelers, product developers, and process technologists. Develop insights from physical models, theory, and targeted experiments to explore design spaces efficiently. Champion novel design paradigms using strong polymer physics fundamentals.

Distill complex problems to fundamental levels using scaling and modeling for unified physical/chemical processes. Lead development of new material concepts in polymeric adhesives, block copolymers, nanostructured hybrids, gels, colloids, and multi-layer laminates. Provide technical leadership in highly practical programs to achieve project objectives.

Requirements

Deep expertise in rheology for product performance and novel concepts in adhesion, release, pressure sensitive laminates, coating, and polymer processing
Strong experimental, theoretical, and modeling-based understanding of viscoelasticity of polymer melts, solutions, and soft matter
Astute problem solving using structure-process-property principles
Knowledge of materials chemistry, adhesion science, modeling, and surface/interface/rheological physics
Experience with full spectrum of rheological and allied approaches
Ability to develop material structure-process-property-performance correlations
Skills in high-throughput methods for materials testing and discovery

Responsibilities

Drive fundamental understanding of complex materials and time/rate dependent phenomena using rheological and allied approaches
Develop material structure-process-property-performance correlations for polymeric adhesives, block copolymers, nanostructured hybrid materials, gels, colloids, and multi-layer laminates
Champion novel design paradigms using strong polymer physics fundamentals and provide technical leadership in cross-functional teams
Interact with experimental synthetic scientists, characterization, predictive modeling, product developers, and process technologists
Distill concepts to fundamental levels using scaling and modeling to develop new material concepts
Develop and implement test methods to support new product/process development and discern structure-property relationships
Conceive efficient high-throughput testing for materials discovery
Interface with SMEs in rheology, spectroscopy, physical testing, computing