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Polymer Characterization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a highly motivated intern to support materials development through a rigorous blend of hands-on characterization and disciplined data workflow design. This role focuses on polymer ...

We are seeking a highly motivated intern to support materials development through a rigorous blend of hands-on characterization and disciplined data workflow design. This role focuses on polymer ...

RESEARCH AST SCTST

Gainesville, FL · On-site

$16.25 - $22.50/hr

This position is in the Polymer Chemistry Characterization Laboratory (PCCL), a designated auxiliary unit and core facility, under the supervision of the Department Chair. Highly motivated ...

Bachelor's degree in Polymer Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field * 3+ years of industrial or research experience in polymer characterization and analytical method development * Hands ...

Perform and interpret the physical, chemical, and electrochemical characterization of monomers and polymers * Oversee quality control of polymer products * Use and maintain elements of the chemistry ...

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 ...

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Polymer Characterization information

See salary details

$50.5K

$89.3K

$155K

How much do polymer characterization jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer characterization in the United States is $89,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Polymer Characterization, and why are they important?

To thrive in Polymer Characterization, you need a solid background in chemistry or materials science, with experience in analyzing polymer structure and properties. Proficiency with analytical instruments such as FTIR, NMR, DSC, GPC, and relevant data analysis software is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help professionals excel in collaborating with teams and presenting findings. These skills ensure accurate material analysis, support research and development, and drive innovation in polymer applications.

What are some common challenges faced when performing polymer characterization in a laboratory setting?

One common challenge in polymer characterization is ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of results, as sample preparation and instrument calibration can significantly impact data quality. Analysts often work with complex mixtures or new materials, requiring careful method selection and validation. Additionally, interpreting results—such as molecular weight distribution or thermal properties—can be complex and may require collaboration with research scientists, chemists, or engineers. Staying updated on the latest analytical techniques and troubleshooting instrument issues are also regular parts of the role.

What is polymer characterization?

Polymer characterization is the process of analyzing and determining the physical, chemical, and structural properties of polymers. This includes evaluating aspects such as molecular weight, composition, morphology, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties. Techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy, and rheology are commonly used in polymer characterization. The goal is to better understand how the polymer's structure relates to its performance and suitability for specific applications. Accurate characterization is crucial for quality control, research, and development in polymer science and engineering.

What is the difference between Polymer Characterization vs Polymer Laboratory Technician?

AspectPolymer CharacterizationPolymer Laboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field; experience with analytical techniquesAssociate's or Bachelor's degree; familiarity with lab procedures
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, quality control, R&D departmentsManufacturing labs, quality assurance, production support
Industry UsageUsed for detailed analysis and testing of polymersSupports lab operations, sample preparation, routine testing

Polymer Characterization professionals focus on analyzing and testing polymers to determine their properties using advanced techniques, while Polymer Laboratory Technicians assist with routine lab tasks and sample preparation. Both roles are essential in polymer research and manufacturing, but they differ in complexity and responsibilities.

More about Polymer Characterization jobs
What cities are hiring for Polymer Characterization jobs? Cities with the most Polymer Characterization job openings:
What states have the most Polymer Characterization jobs? States with the most job openings for Polymer Characterization jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Polymer Characterization jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Polymer Characterization jobs are:
Infographic showing various Polymer Characterization job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $89,329 per year, or $42.9 per hour.
Intern - Polymer Characterization

Intern - Polymer Characterization

E Ink Corporation

Fremont, CA

$30 - $40/hr

Internship

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Team up with the most innovative company where Imagination becomes reality! E Ink is the originator, pioneer, and commercial leader in ePaper technology. The Fremont Research & Development team is thriving and growing as we help develop products that are changing how people access information every day. We are seeking qualified candidates who are self-driven, looking to advance their career and become a high-impact player on a team.

Our diversity of people, backgrounds, experiences, thoughts, and perspectives are fostered to create an inclusive work environment.

We offer a competitive/generous benefits package that fits the needs of our employees. It includes health, dental, vision, wellness programs, employee discounts, 401k matches, ongoing development, advancement opportunities and more. This position is also eligible for our bonus program. (see E Ink │ Our Company)

About the Position:

We are seeking a highly motivated intern to support materials development through a rigorous blend of hands-on characterization and disciplined data workflow design. This role focuses on polymer-based systems within a wet chemistry environment, with particular emphasis on establishing standardized impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement protocols, creating structured experimental datasets, and building the data-processing foundation needed for future machine-learning-guided material optimization. The position is primarily experimental (~70%) with meaningful exposure to data systems and automation (~30%).

Responsibilities:
  • Prepare, handle, and evaluate samples in a wet chemistry lab environment.
  • Establish, document, and standardize impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test methods and measurement conditions for material characterization.
  • Conduct repeated EIS measurements with high consistency, reproducibility, and attention to experimental controls.
  • Process and analyze experimental data, including impedance and related characterization datasets.
  • Extract key material properties and help build a basic feature-extraction framework that converts raw signals into structured, comparable descriptors.
  • Build structured datasets with consistent naming conventions, traceable metadata, and organized records that support downstream analysis.
  • Develop robust Python workflows (pandas, numpy, matplotlib, etc.) for automated data cleaning, transformation, structuring, and analysis.
  • Build data-quality and validation checks to identify inconsistencies, missing data, outliers, and measurement issues, and flag them clearly for the broader team.
  • Collaborate closely with researchers to improve experimental protocols, strengthen data reliability, and support future machine learning workflows for material optimization.
Required Qualifications:
  • Currently pursuing a Master's/PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related field.
  • Hands-on laboratory, internship, co-op, or undergraduate/graduate research experience in materials characterization, polymer/material systems, or related experimental work.
  • Foundational experience with impedance spectroscopy (EIS) or related electrochemical/electrical characterization methods.
  • Preferred: Hands-on experience with atomic force microscopy (AFM), particularly quantitative nanomechanical mapping (QNM) mode
  • Strong execution mindset with attention to data quality, repeatability, documentation, and the ability to work effectively with real-world, imperfect datasets.
Advanced / Bonus Experience:
  • Proficiency in Python (pandas, numpy, matplotlib) applied to experimental data processing, automation, and structured data handling.
  • Experience building machine learning workflows, feature engineering pipelines, or data-processing tools for scientific datasets.
  • Familiarity with structure-processing-property relationships and materials optimization concepts.
  • Experience working with larger experimental datasets across multiple testing conditions, instruments, or source formats.
Benefits:

The anticipated base pay for this position is $30-40 per hour, DOE, for candidates located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

  • Medical plan that begins on the first day
  • 401k Plan Participation
  • Paid Time Off
  • Sick Time Policy
  • Courses/classes at E Ink University

Our culture is built on value commitments to innovation, quality, results, integrity, community, people, and collaboration that fosters a strong employee engagement, teamwork, safety and wellness.

E Ink is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. E Ink is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, identity, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, disability, age, or on any basis prohibited by federal and state law. Our diverse employees, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives foster a diverse and inclusive work environment.

E Ink is committed to protecting the privacy of its employees and candidates for employment. Pursuant to the California Privacy Rights Act, please see our E Ink Corporation CPRA Notice at Collection and E Ink Corporation California Resident Privacy Policy


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About E Ink

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Billerica, MA, US

Year founded

1997

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