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Polymers Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mallard Creek Polymers LLC

CHEMICAL OPERATOR

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$17.75 - $20.25/hr

Mallard Creek Polymers is seeking a qualified Chemical Operator to join our team. Who you are: Our ideal teammate... Enjoys working with a team to meet polymer production goals. They like operating ...

QUEEN CITY POLYMERS

Delivery Driver

West Chester, OH

$12 - $14/hr

Queen City Polymers is an experienced leader in custom plastics manufacturing, distribution, machining, fabricating, cutting to-size, fulfillment, and assembly. We pride ourselves on serving ...

QUEEN CITY POLYMERS

Delivery Driver

West Chester, OH · On-site

$15/hr

Queen City Polymers is an experienced leader in custom plastics manufacturing, distribution, machining, fabricating, cutting to-size, fulfillment, and assembly. We pride ourselves on serving ...

Ct polymers

Machine Operator

Bourbon, IN · On-site

$16 - $17.50/hr

Machine Operator (Full-Time) Job Summary CT Polymers is seeking a dedicated, detail-oriented Machine Operator to join our team in person. You will set up and run industrial machinery, manage ...

Ct polymers

Machine Operator

Bourbon, IN · On-site

$16 - $17.50/hr

Machine Operator (Full-Time) Job Summary CT Polymers is seeking a dedicated, detail-oriented Machine Operator to join our team in person. You will set up and run industrial machinery, manage ...

QUEEN CITY POLYMERS

Delivery Driver

West Chester, OH

$15/hr

Queen City Polymers is an experienced leader in custom plastics manufacturing, distribution, machining, fabricating, cutting to-size, fulfillment, and assembly. We pride ourselves on serving ...

Mallard Creek Polymers, LLC

CHEMICAL OPERATOR

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$17.75 - $20.25/hr

Mallard Creek Polymers is seeking a qualified Chemical Operator to join our team. Who you are: Our ideal teammate... Enjoys working with a team to meet polymer production goals. They like operating ...

Fenner Precision Polymers

Product Mgr

Lititz, PA · On-site

Fenner Precision Polymers is a global organization that values employee contributions and supports career development. The Product Manager will develop product strategies, oversee product roadmaps ...

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Polymers information

See salary details

$31.5K

$61.7K

$92K

How much do polymers jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymers in the United States is $61,748.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Polymers vs Chemical Technicians?

AspectPolymersChemical Technicians
Required CredentialsDegree in Polymer Science, Chemistry, or Chemical EngineeringAssociate's degree or diploma in Chemistry or Chemical Technology
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing plants, R&D facilitiesLaboratories, manufacturing settings, quality control labs
Industry UsageSpecialized in polymer materials, plastics, and compositesBroader chemical industry, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and testing

Polymers professionals focus on the development, testing, and manufacturing of polymer-based materials, often requiring specialized knowledge in polymer chemistry. Chemical Technicians support various chemical processes across multiple industries, including polymers, but with a broader scope. While both roles work in laboratory and manufacturing environments, Polymers specialists have more targeted expertise in polymer science, whereas Chemical Technicians handle a wider range of chemical tasks.

What are polymers and what do people working in this field do?

Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating structural units, commonly known as monomers, and are essential in the production of plastics, fibers, rubbers, and many other materials. Professionals working with polymers—such as polymer scientists, engineers, or technologists—research, design, develop, and test new polymer materials for various applications. They may also improve existing products or processes, ensuring materials meet specific mechanical, chemical, or environmental requirements. Their work is vital in industries like packaging, automotive, healthcare, and electronics.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in polymer research and development?

Professionals in polymer research and development often encounter challenges such as optimizing material properties for specific applications, scaling up production from laboratory to industrial levels, and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—such as chemists, engineers, and product designers—is common to address these challenges. Staying updated with advances in polymer technology and sustainability trends is also crucial for success in this dynamic field.

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

To thrive as a Polymer Scientist, you need a solid background in chemistry, materials science, and polymer engineering, usually supported by at least a bachelor's degree in a related field. Experience with analytical techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and rheology, as well as familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills distinguish top performers. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative polymer materials, ensuring precise research outcomes, and collaborating successfully within multidisciplinary teams.
More about Polymers jobs
What cities are hiring for Polymers jobs? Cities with the most Polymers job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Polymers jobs? The most popular types of Polymers jobs are:
What states have the most Polymers jobs? States with the most job openings for Polymers jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Polymers jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Polymers jobs are:
Polymers jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymers job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,748 per year, or $29.7 per hour.
2026 PhD Graduate - Postdoctoral Researcher - Printable Polymers

2026 PhD Graduate - Postdoctoral Researcher - Printable Polymers

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 hours ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 58 rated research

Job description

Description
Are you interested in developing polymer materials that can be reliably processed into functional components to solve our nation's hardest challenges?
Are you motivated to translate bio-derived or recycled polymers into scalable, high-performance manufacturing solutions?
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Sustainable Printable Polymers to develop next-generation polymer feedstocks and processing strategies for additive manufacturing and replacement of legacy, supply chain constrained materials. This role focuses on converting bio-derived and recycled polymers into printable materials and structural, adhesive, and thermal components, while leveraging design strategies that improve performance for national security applications. You will work at the interface of polymer science, materials engineering, and advanced manufacturing to help bridge the gap between material development and manufacturing implementation.
As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will...
  1. Develop and optimize bio-manufactured polymer feedstock formulations for 3D printing.
    • Formulate and refine thermoplastic and composite polymers for extrusion-based additive manufacturing for engineering applications.
    • Tailor rheological and thermal properties to ensure consistent printability and dimensional stability.
    • Design and execute processing workflows to produce repeatable, high-quality feedstocks from varied starting material
  1. Create and characterize multifunctional polymer composites, including replacement of legacy or supply-constrained materials.
    • Develop polymer composites with targeted properties using fillers, reinforcements, or bio-derived constituents.
    • Identify and demonstrate alternatives to legacy or supply-limited materials, balancing performance and manufacturability.
  1. Develop novel design strategies for maximizing material and component performance.
    • Design material architectures and print strategies to enhance performance beyond bulk material limits.
    • Explore process-structure-property relationship, linking additive manufacturing parameters with material behavior to optimize part performance.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications if you...
  • Have a PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Have experience in polymer materials, including formulation, processing, or characterization.
  • Have familiarity with additive manufacturing techniques, particularly extrusion-based methods.
  • Have experience with bio-derived polymers, sustainable materials, or recycled feedstocks
  • Are able to obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond if you...
  • Have developed custom printing approaches informed by engineering requirements
  • Have experience with polymer binders, energetic materials, or materials for austere and distributed manufacturing environments.
  • Have experience translating materials from lab-scale development to manufacturing processes.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,300 Annually
Maximum Rate
$155,500 Annually

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