Analytical Testing and Application Scientist, Polymer Rheology

ExxonMobil•Baytown, TX

16d

About The Position

The Analytical Testing and Application Scientist will leverage advanced characterization expertise—including rheology, polymer fractionation, thermal analysis, and mechanical analysis—to solve technical challenges, support product innovation, improve manufacturing performance, and enable business growth. The role collaborates across product development, manufacturing, commercial, and research organizations to understand polymer structure-property-performance relationships and turn analytical findings into business solutions. The scientist provides technical leadership in polymer characterization, particularly rheological and solid mechanical analysis. Responsibilities include developing, optimizing, validating, and implementing analytical methods; serving as a subject matter expert for characterization techniques; troubleshooting and improving methods; and using analytical tools to investigate relationships among polymer microstructure, mechanical response, rheological response, thermal behavior, processing, and end-use performance. The role also supports cross-functional technical and customer needs, evaluates emerging technologies, provides market feedback for future product and technology strategies, monitors industry trends and competitive technologies, and communicates findings to scientific, manufacturing, commercial, and customer audiences. Contributions to intellectual property, technical publications, and conference presentations are expected.

Requirements

PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering, with a Polymer Physics background.
At least 5 years of experience in polymer characterization.
Strong background in structure-property correlations for polymeric materials, including thermoplastics, thermosets, blends, and block copolymers.
At least 3 years of hands-on experience with rheological instrumentation and testing on thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and blends, using instruments such as rotational rheometers, capillary rheometers, and DMA.
Strong knowledge of polymer fractionation techniques such as multidetector GPC, TREF, and CFC.
Strong knowledge of rheological models and theories used to predict processing behavior and end-use product performance.
Strong knowledge of relationships between polymer microstructure and rheological response.
Ability to correlate rheological data with processing conditions and end-use product performance.
Ability to identify root causes of processing issues, such as melt fracture, die swell, poor surface finish, degradation, and oxidation.
Excellent analytical thinking, data interpretation, and scientific problem-solving skills.
Strong communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills.
Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in polymer processing operations, including blown-film, cast-film, extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, and compounding.
Understanding of polymer thermal behavior, including melting, crystallization, degradation, and oxidation, and how to characterize it using DSC and TGA.
Understanding of how polymer fractionation techniques characterize molecular properties of polymers.
Knowledge of industrial polymers such as PE, PP, and EP copolymers and their applications.
Familiarity with complementary analytical tools such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and microscopy.
Demonstrated record of patents, publications, and conference presentations.

Responsibilities

Use advanced characterization techniques, including rheology, polymer fractionation, thermal analysis, and mechanical analysis, to solve technical challenges and support product innovation, manufacturing performance, and business growth.
Collaborate with product development, manufacturing, commercial, and research organizations to analyze polymer structure-property-performance relationships and translate findings into business solutions.
Provide technical leadership in polymer characterization, emphasizing rheological and solid mechanical analysis.
Develop, optimize, validate, and implement analytical methods for product development, manufacturing, customer support, and market growth.
Serve as a subject matter expert in rheology, polymer fractionation, thermal analysis, and mechanical analysis, including method stewardship, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
Investigate correlations between polymer microstructure and mechanical, rheological, and thermal responses to establish structure-property-performance relationships.
Work with cross-functional teams to resolve technical challenges, support customer needs, and identify product differentiation opportunities.
Evaluate and implement emerging characterization technologies and methodologies to advance analytical capabilities.
Provide technical insights and market feedback for future product and technology development strategies.
Monitor industry trends, customer needs, and competitive technologies to guide capability development and innovation.
Communicate technical findings to scientific, manufacturing, commercial, and customer audiences.
Contribute to intellectual property, technical publications, and conference presentations.

Benefits

Pension plan with automatic enrollment at no cost and a monthly retirement annuity.
Savings plan allowing contributions of 6% to 20% of pay, with a 7% company match when contributing at least 6%.
Workplace flexibility programs, including ad-hoc flexibility around when and where employees work, leaves of absence, and part-time work.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
Health and wellbeing programs and resources.
Confidential professional counseling for employees and their families, including mental health and resiliency resources at no additional cost.
Disability income replacement plan with automatic enrollment at no cost.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume