1

Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Polymer Operator I

Waynesboro, VA · On-site

$29.78 - $32.52/hr

The LYCRA Company is a premier supplier of differentiated fiber products from a global ... Science, Engineering, Manufacturing) * Experience using Microsoft Office * Ability to wear personal ...

Senior Scientist - Polymer Mechanics

Corning, NY · On-site

$75K - $103K/yr

Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at ... Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross-functional teams to support research and ...

Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at ... Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross-functional teams to support research and ...

Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at ... Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross-functional teams to support research and ...

Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at ... Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross-functional teams to support research and ...

Showing results 21-40

Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering information

What is the difference between Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering vs Polymer Fiber Technician?

AspectTrainee Polymer Fiber EngineeringPolymer Fiber Technician
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a degree in polymer engineering or related fieldVocational training or technical certification in fiber manufacturing
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D facilities, or engineering departmentsManufacturing plants, production lines, or quality control labs
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, research institutions, or manufacturing companiesFiber production facilities, textile companies, or polymer plants

The main difference is that Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering focuses on learning and developing engineering skills related to polymer fibers, often in a research or development setting. In contrast, a Polymer Fiber Technician is more involved in the hands-on manufacturing, operation, and quality control of fiber production. Both roles are essential in the industry but differ in responsibilities, training, and work environment.

More about Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering jobs

What cities are hiring for Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering jobs?

Cities with the most Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Polymer Fiber Engineering jobs?

The most popular types of Polymer Fiber Engineering jobs are:

What states have the most Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering jobs?

States with the most job openings for Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering jobs?

For Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Trainee Polymer Fiber Engineering job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Organic/Polymer Chemist for Advanced Fibers

Knoxville, TN • On-site

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 5 - 10K employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop and synthesize polymer chemistries for advanced fiber applications, including carbon, rayon, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride fibers.

  • Analyze experimental data and collaborate with simulation teams to drive product innovation and optimize manufacturing processes.

  • Establish and manage research collaborations with industry partners, report research findings, and publish scientific work.


Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Requisition Id 16967
Overview:
Our team is looking for a driven Postdoctoral Researcher with a strong background in polymer chemistries to support our advanced fiber manufacturing initiatives. This role involves conducting research on both scaling up and developing precursor chemistries for advanced fiber production, as well as advancing fiber technologies for composite systems. The successful candidate will manage several projects concurrently, help shape new research directions within their field, and collaborate closely with ORNL staff, industry professionals, and academic partners. Based within the Advanced Fibers Manufacturing Group in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), this position provides an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of materials innovation and play a key role in driving forward significant advances in fiber technologies.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Developing cutting-edge polymer chemistries for advanced fiber applications-including Carbon Fiber, Rayon fibers, Silicon Carbide fiber, and Silicon Nitride fiber-forms the core of this role. Responsibilities encompass not only the synthesis, modification, and detailed characterization of polymers to maximize material performance but also close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to scale up manufacturing processes for high-performance fibers.
  • A key aspect involves analyzing and interpreting experimental data to drive product innovation, as well as obtaining and calibrating simulation parameters based on laboratory results. Regular interfacing between experimental and simulation teams ensures a seamless integration of findings and methodologies.
  • Establishing and managing research collaborations and projects with industry partners is essential, fostering productive partnerships that advance fiber technology. The role also includes presenting and reporting research results promptly, publishing scientific work in peer-reviewed journals, and sharing findings at scientific conferences.
  • Supporting collective team goals, working harmoniously with colleagues, and maintaining rigorous compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements are fundamental. Throughout all tasks, there is a strong dedication to upholding values and ethics, ensuring the integrity and excellence of ongoing research and development efforts.
  • Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements
  • Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics
  • Delivering ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:
  • PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering, or a related discipline completed within the last five years and have a strong background in polymer synthesis for advanced fibers, characterization, and processing.
  • Expertise in polymer chemistry or processing for developing advanced fiber precursors.
  • Experience in advanced manufacturing techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. in a technical STEM field with a focus on polymers or materials science.
  • Hands-on experience in polymer synthesis and advanced characterization techniques.
  • Knowledge of fiber manufacturing processes and structure-property relationships is a plus.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
  • Experience in characterization techniques such as DSC, FTIR, TGA, DMA, EDS, XRD, Rheology, SEM, and optical microscopy.
  • An excellent record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience.
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative and frequently interacting teams of researchers.
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:
Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.
  • Letters of Reference: Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to Postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line
  • Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:
    • Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
    • View Profile
    • Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document
  • Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.
About ORNL:
As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.
ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.
Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

What Oak Ridge National Laboratory employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom