Chemist/Polymer Scientist (Ph.D.)

About Exponent

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges. Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.

Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning.

Our Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Chemist/Polymer Scientist for our Polymers & Chemistry Practice in Menlo Park, CA. In this role you will work as part of an interdisciplinary team contributing to a diverse set of projects from industries such as pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer products, construction, infrastructure and automotive. This position requires some travel and will involve collaborating with scientists and engineers from other Exponent offices and practices. A long-term goal for a successful candidate will be to develop business by obtaining new projects and bringing new clients to the firm.

Responsibilities

• Inspecting, testing and analyzing various polymeric materials to assess their specifications and/or reliability in a variety of applications from a wide range of industries
• Performing root cause investigations on failing or underperforming materials/components by scientifically examining the development, manufacturing or end-use environment of products specified for use in the construction, medical device, consumer electronics, and pharmaceutical industries
• Analyzing information and conveying technical conclusions to individuals in engineering, business, law, and industry, as well as communicating testing rationale in the context of product development, product defect claims, and intellectual property disputes

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field
• Well-developed understanding of small molecule, polymer and materials characterization
• Knowledge of polymer bulk physical properties, and/or polymer processing preferred
• Strong background and hands-on experience in polymer/chemical characterization techniques, such as FTIR, GC-MS, LC-MS, GPC, NMR, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, DSC, TGA, and DMA
• Knowledge of medical device testing and manufacturing standards, such as ISO 10993, ISO 13485, ISO 14971
• Experience with the design, assembly, and execution of novel or non-standard testing
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work within project teams with strong desire to contribute; have potential for technical and project managerial leadership
• Strong educational and publication credentials

What You Will Be Doing

• Inspecting, testing and analyzing various polymeric materials to assess their specifications and/or reliability in a variety of applications from a wide range of industries
• Performing root cause investigations on failing or underperforming materials/components by scientifically examining the development, manufacturing or end-use environment of products specified for use in the construction, medical device, consumer electronics, and pharmaceutical industries
• Analyzing information and conveying technical conclusions to individuals in engineering, business, law, and industry, as well as communicating testing rationale in the context of product development, product defect claims, and intellectual property disputes

What You Will Need

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field
• Well-developed understanding of small molecule, polymer and materials characterization
• Knowledge of polymer bulk physical properties, and/or polymer processing preferred
• Strong background and hands-on experience in polymer/chemical characterization techniques, such as FTIR, GC-MS, LC-MS, GPC, NMR, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, DSC, TGA, and DMA
• Knowledge of medical device testing and manufacturing standards, such as ISO 10993, ISO 13485, ISO 14971
• Experience with the design, assembly, and execution of novel or non-standard testing
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work within project teams with strong desire to contribute; have potential for technical and project managerial leadership
• Strong educational and publication credentials