Polymer Research Engineer Jobs in Maple Grove, MN

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DuPont Water Solutions (DWS) is seeking an R&D Membrane Chemist to join the FilmTec innovation team in Edina, Minnesota. As the global leader in reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) technologies, DWS has pioneered many of the membrane and module innovations that have transformed the water treatment industry over the past four decades.

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with a passion for innovation and sustainable technology development. This role offers the opportunity to develop next-generation membrane materials that address some of the world's most critical challenges, including access to clean drinking water, industrial water reuse, energy-efficient separations, critical mineral recovery, food and beverage processing, and specialty pharmaceutical production.

The successful candidate will join the RO/NF membrane development team and play a key role in discovering, developing, and scaling new membrane materials from concept through commercial implementation. This position requires a strong foundation in organic and polymer chemistry, coupled with scientific curiosity and the ability to connect molecular structure, reaction mechanisms, polymer properties, membrane morphology, and chemical stability to membrane performance.

Working within a highly collaborative environment, the R&D Membrane Chemist will partner closely with R&D, Manufacturing Technology, Operations, Analytical Sciences, Technical Service, Marketing, and Commercial teams to translate customer needs into innovative products and commercial solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize technical opportunities through literature reviews, competitive intelligence, and experimental research
• Design, synthesize, and evaluate novel RO and NF membrane materials at bench, pilot, and commercial manufacturing scales
• Develop a deep understanding of structure-property-performance relationships and apply those insights to improve membrane functionality and durability
• Partner with analytical scientists to characterize membrane structure, composition, morphology, and performance
• Advance membrane technologies through a rigorous stage-gate process from concept through commercialization
• Collaborate with customers and application experts to design experiments that assess membrane and module performance based on customer needs
• Collaborate with global manufacturing sites to evaluate and implement process improvements
• Apply statistical methods and data-driven approaches to experimental design, interpretation, and decision-making
• Maintain accurate and thorough technical documentation of research activities and findings
• Work closely with application development, technical service, and commercial teams to understand customer needs and emerging market opportunities
• Effectively communicate technical findings and recommendations to audiences ranging from subject matter experts to business and commercial leaders

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong foundation in organic chemistry and polymer chemistry, including:
  • Organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms
  • Polymer formation and modification
  • Structure-property relationships
  • Chemical stability and degradation mechanisms
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute scientific research programs independently and collaboratively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment where priorities are influenced by technical feasibility, manufacturability, customer requirements, and business objectives
• Fluent in written and spoken English

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