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Polymer Science Phd Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Director Global Rubber Material

Northville, MI · On-site

$219K - $229K/yr

Master's or PhD in Polymer Science, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering strongly preferred. * Typically 12+ years of experience in formulation, materials development, or polymer engineering within a ...

Polymer Science Phd information

What are some common interdisciplinary collaborations for Polymer Science PhD professionals in industry or academia?

Polymer Science PhD professionals often collaborate with experts in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering. These interdisciplinary teams work together to develop new materials for applications such as medical devices, electronics, or sustainable packaging. Such collaboration not only broadens the impact of research but also provides valuable experience in cross-functional teamwork, which is highly valued in both industrial and academic settings.

What is the difference between Polymer Science Phd vs Materials Scientist?

AspectPolymer Science PhdMaterials Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in Polymer Science or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science or related field, PhD preferred for advanced roles
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsIndustrial labs, manufacturing, research and development
Industry UsageSpecialized in polymers, plastics, elastomersBroader focus including metals, ceramics, polymers

Polymer Science Phds typically focus on research and development within polymers and plastics, often in academic or specialized R&D settings. Materials Scientists have a broader scope, working with various materials in industrial environments. Both roles require strong technical knowledge, but Polymer Science Phds are more specialized in polymers, while Materials Scientists work across multiple material types.

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

To thrive as a Polymer Science PhD, you need an advanced understanding of polymer chemistry, materials characterization, and experimental design, typically supported by a doctoral degree in polymer science or a related field. Familiarity with analytical instruments like FTIR, NMR, DSC, and GPC, as well as experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and effective communication skills help distinguish top performers in this field. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, conducting rigorous research, and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams in academic or industrial settings.

What is a Polymer Science PhD?

A Polymer Science PhD is an advanced doctoral degree focused on the study of polymers, which are large molecules made up of repeating structural units. This interdisciplinary field combines aspects of chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering to understand and innovate in the development, characterization, and application of polymeric materials. Graduates are trained to conduct independent research, develop new materials, and solve complex problems related to plastics, rubbers, fibers, and other polymer-based products. Careers for Polymer Science PhDs span academia, industry, and government labs, often involving research and development of new materials for various applications.
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Polymer Science Phd jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Polymer Science Phd job openings:
Infographic showing various Polymer Science Phd job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution.

Data Scientist - Materials R&D - Remote-Travel

Intertape Polymer Group (IPG)

Marysville, MI • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Intertape Polymer Group rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

74th of 119 rated packaging manufacturers


Job description

Join the IPG Team!
Are you ready to elevate your career? At IPG, we are more than just a global leader in packaging and protective solutions-we are a community that values safety, people, passion, integrity, performance, and teamwork. From tapes and films to packaging and protective products, as well as engineered coated materials and advanced packaging machinery, we develop innovative solutions that protect the world. Now, we are expanding our global team and looking for talented individuals like you!
This position can be based out of Marysville, MI, or work remotely with some travel as needed.
Title: Senior Data Scientist
Department: Research and Development
Immediate Supervisor: R&D Vice President
Status: Exempt Salaried
Position Purpose: The Senior Data Scientist willsupport R&D efforts in bio-polymers and sustainable materials and focusing on applying advanced data science, statistical modeling, and machine learning to experimental, process, and materials data to accelerate innovation, improve material performance, and reduce development cycles.
Principle Accountabilities
  • Partner with polymer scientists, chemists, and engineers to support bio-polymer research and development using data-driven methods
  • Analyze and model experimental, formulation, and process data to identify structure-property-process relationships
  • Develop predictive models to support:
    • Material performance and property optimization
    • Formulation design and screening
    • Scale-up and process optimization
  • Design and analyze experiments (DOE) to maximize learning efficiency and reduce development timelines
  • Build and maintain reproducible data workflows for R&D data ingestion, cleaning, and analysis
  • Apply machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, time-series modeling) to complex scientific datasets
  • Collaborate with data engineering and IT teams to enable scalable data infrastructure for R&D
  • Communicate insights, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Understanding of data visualization best practices
  • Experience working with batch or streaming data processes a plus
  • Contribute to data dictionaries and process flow diagrams for complex data solutions
  • Mentor junior data scientists or technical staff and contribute to data science best practices within R&D
  • Stay current with advances in materials informatics, polymer modeling, and applied AI in scientific research

Essential Skills and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; Master's or PhD preferred
  • 10+ years of professional experience in data science, applied analytics, or scientific computing; experience working with materials science, polymer science or chemical R&D data, preferred
  • Strong proficiency in Python and/or R for data analysis and modeling
  • Solid experience with SQL and working with structured and semi-structured datasets
  • Strong foundation in statistics, experimental design, and multivariate analysis
  • Demonstrated experience applying machine learning to real-world, noisy scientific or experimental data
  • Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional R&D environment
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex analyses into actionable insights
  • Familiarity with bio-polymers, sustainable materials, or polymer processing, preferred
  • Experience with DOE software, laboratory data management systems (LIMS), or scientific databases, preferred
  • Experience deploying models to support R&D decision-making or manufacturing scale-up, preferred
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and data science lifecycle tools, preferred
  • Prior experience mentoring or leading technical projects, preferred

Why Choose IPG?
At IPG, you will find more than just a job-you will find a place where your success is our success. We pride ourselves on a culture built around strong relationships, where every team member plays a crucial role in our growth. Whether it is through cross-department collaboration, continuous training, or sustainability-driven initiatives, we create an environment where you can thrive.
Our commitment to sustainability influences everything we do, from designing eco-friendly products to minimizing waste in our production processes. We are dedicated to building a greener future while providing safe, supportive workplaces for our people.
With over 40 years of industry expertise and a proven track record of growth and innovation, IPG offers a stable, secure environment where you can flourish!
We offer competitive pay, extensive benefits that support you and your family, and exciting career development opportunities. Whether you are looking to enhance your skills or advance your career, we offer ongoing training and the support you need to succeed. Think big, dream bigger, and make an impact with IPG.
You belong here. Join us today!

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