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Material Science Polymer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kodiak Sciences Inc.

Polymer Chemist

Palo Alto, CA

D. in polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field * Four or more years of relevant experience in biotech/pharma settings, or similar environments, or a relevant ...

Kodiak Sciences Inc.

Polymer Chemist

Palo Alto, CA

D. in polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field * Four or more years of relevant experience in biotech/pharma settings, or similar environments, or a relevant ...

ENTEK INTERNATIONAL LLC

Polymer Scientist

Lebanon, OR

$115K - $130K/yr

Strong background in porous materials and polymer science Critical technical, professional, and personal capabilities * Lead and drive engineers & production team through high-level projects and ...

Hexion Careers

Polymer Scientist

Springfield, OR

S. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline * 5+ years of experience in polymer synthesis and characterization (industrial or academic) * Strong ...

Hexion, Inc.

Polymer Scientist

Springfield, OR · On-site

S. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline * 5+ years of experience in polymer synthesis and characterization (industrial or academic) * Strong ...

IPG

Data Scientist - Materials R&D - Remote-Travel

... science and machine learning to enhance material performance and accelerate innovation. Responsibilities : • Partner with polymer scientists, chemists, and engineers to support bio‑polymer ...

ENTEK

Polymer Scientist

Lebanon, OR · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Strong background in porous materials and polymer science Critical technical, professional, and personal capabilities * Lead and drive engineers & production team through high-level projects and ...

CRH

Materials Science Engineer (Extrusion)

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

Job Summary The Materials Science Engineer (Extrusion) provides technical expertise in polymer behavior, formulation development, and process optimization for plastic extrusion operations. This role ...

Bridgestone

Senior Material Scientist

Akron, OH

Job Category Engineering & Science Position Summary This position is within the Polymer Performance ... The Senior Material Scientist will work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, developing ...

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Material Science Polymer information

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$53K

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How much do material science polymer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science polymer in the United States is $123,973.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,500.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Material Science Polymer Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Material Science Polymer Specialist, you need a solid background in chemistry, polymer physics, and materials engineering, usually supported by a relevant degree such as Materials Science or Chemical Engineering. Familiarity with analytical tools like FTIR, DSC, SEM, and polymer processing equipment, as well as knowledge of industry standards, is typically required. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and collaboration skills help professionals excel in research, development, and cross-functional teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for innovating, improving material performance, and ensuring product quality in various industrial applications.

What jobs can I get with a material science degree?

A material science degree can lead to careers such as materials engineer, research scientist, quality control analyst, or product development specialist. These roles often involve working with polymers, metals, ceramics, or composites, and may require knowledge of testing methods, CAD software, and industry standards.

What does a material science polymer engineer do?

A material science polymer engineer specializes in the study, development, and application of polymer materials, which include plastics, rubbers, and synthetic fibers. They analyze the structure and properties of polymers to create new materials or improve existing ones for various industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and packaging. Their work often involves research, testing, and collaboration with other engineers and scientists to solve material-related challenges and enhance product performance.

Is polymer science a good career?

A career as a material science polymer professional involves researching and developing polymers and plastics for various industries, requiring strong knowledge of chemistry, materials, and laboratory skills. It offers opportunities in manufacturing, research, and quality control, often with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Job prospects depend on industry demand, education level, and technical expertise, with roles typically requiring a bachelor's or higher degree in materials science or chemistry.

What are the common interdisciplinary collaborations for a Material Science Polymer professional, and how do they impact daily work?

Material Science Polymer professionals frequently collaborate with chemists, mechanical engineers, and product designers to develop and optimize new polymer materials. These interdisciplinary teams work together to troubleshoot formulation challenges, improve material performance, and ensure compatibility with manufacturing processes. Such collaborations allow for broader problem-solving approaches and foster innovation, but they also require strong communication skills and adaptability to different working styles and technical languages.

How much does a polymer scientist make?

A polymer scientist's salary typically ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in polymer characterization or processing can earn higher salaries, especially in research and development environments.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes advanced certifications or degrees.

What is the difference between Material Science Polymer vs Material Testing Technician?

AspectMaterial Science PolymerMaterial Testing Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, or related fieldAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in Materials Testing, Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, manufacturing plantsTesting labs, quality control departments, manufacturing sites
Employer & Industry UsageResearch & development, manufacturing, product designQuality assurance, product validation, compliance testing
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles related to polymers and materials developmentComparing testing roles within materials industry

Material Science Polymer professionals focus on developing and analyzing polymer materials, often involved in research and product design. Material Testing Technicians perform tests to ensure material quality and compliance. While both roles work within the materials industry, their focus differs: one on material development, the other on testing and quality assurance.

Infographic showing various Material Science Polymer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,973 per year, or $59.6 per hour.
Polymer Chemist

Polymer Chemist

Kodiak Sciences Inc.

Palo Alto, CA

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Be an early applicant

Job description

Kodiak Sciences is a fast-growing clinical-stage biotechnology company with a strong focus in ophthalmology. Our Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate Drug (ABCD) platform merges the fields of protein engineering, organic chemistry, and polymer chemistry and is at the core of our discovery engine.
 
We are seeking a Polymer Chemist to join our Polymer Sciences Team, Department of Chemistry. The ideal candidate will be passionate and focused on developing new technologies that challenge the current boundaries. The candidate will use a combination of highly efficient organic chemistries and modern reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) polymerization techniques to synthesize high-performance functional polymers to support technology development at Kodiak Sciences.
 
This person will join a dynamic, collaborative research environment focused on engineering a new drug delivery platform for ophthalmology applications. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience in modern RDRP polymerizations and air-free synthesis techniques. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in driving commercial innovation, GLP/GMP, designed experimentation and statistics (e.g., Six-Sigma methodologies) and/or project management tools. The successful candidate is sufficiently versed in organic chemistry techniques, including the design and synthesis of functionalized monomers and polymeric material characterization when needed.
 
Responsibilities
  • Develop and optimize polymerization processes for up to 100g scale functional polymer synthesis.
  • Support tech and process transfer of leading polymeric materials to development and CMC teams.
  • Develop an automated synthesis system for high throughput formulation screening and validation.
  • Design and execute DOEs to establish key polymer structure-property-performance correlations.
  • Maintain an awareness of technical literature and contacts to define new technical approaches, projects and areas of interest. Proactively bring in new technology from external community.
  • Develop analytical techniques to characterize new polymers and polymeric materials by using SEC-MALS, DLS, NMR, viscosity and other relevant techniques.
  • Summarize and report project results regularly with proper documentation and support intellectual property/patent filings.
  • Stakeholder relationship management and internal customer-centric, deliver impactful results and meeting project timelines, and pro-actively provide strategic inputs to R&D roadmap and future-generation product plans.
  • Follow the guidelines for laboratory safety, training procedures and records according to company and industrial standards.
Education/Experience
  • Ph.D. in polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field
  • Four or more years of relevant experience in biotech/pharma settings, or similar environments, or a relevant postdoc experience is preferred
  • Hands-on experience in large-scale batch synthesis or scale-up using modern RDRP methods.
  • Prior experience working with air- and moisture-sensitive substances using glovebox or Schlenk-techniques is required.
  • Experience with automation in polymer chemistry for high throughput formulation screening and development is a strong plus.
  • Prior polymer and materials characterization experience in SEC/GPC, NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MALDI-ToF is required; experience in additional thermomechanical property characterizations e.g., DMA, DSC, TGA, and Rheology, and advanced characterization methods including TEM, SEM, SANS, SAXS, is a plus
  • Prior experience with polymer grafting, polymer end-group modification, and/or bioconjugate techniques is highly preferred.
  • Prior experience with GMP/GLP, and other manufacturing quality and project management tools (e.g., Six-Sigma and DFMEA) is highly preferred.
  • Prior experience synthesizing polymers for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery devices, polymer bioconjugates, polymeric hydrogels, nonviral gene therapy, etc. is required.
  • Good learning agility and self-driven. Capable of setting goals, planning, leading, and executing R&D projects is a must, as demonstrated by the ability to de-risk projects and manage course corrections.
  • Safety-conscious and continuously maintaining a safe work environment as a role model lab citizen is a must.
  • Excellent sense for detailed documentation and capture of key procedures, research results, and inventions in support of IP protection and commercial innovation is a must.
  • Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills are required for timeline management and driving projects to success.