Advanced Materials Researcher Jobs

Department: Innovation & Technology

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Travel Involved: 10%-20%

Description:

Braskem is seeking a PhD Researcher in the Materials Science field, with proven experience in polymer research and development, analysis and characterization. This position will be located at Braskem's Research Center in Pittsburgh interacting with the global Innovation Ecosystem and with Braskem's R&D teams located in Brazil, Mexico, US and Europe.

The mission of the Materials Science Researcher in Braskem is to explore scientific and soft skills to develop new advanced materials and technologies that help to solve meaningful societal, industrial problems and turn Braskem portfolio renewable. General activities as a scientist are related to the current research projects and new ideas, actively interacting with the global innovation ecosystem to identify new research and collaboration opportunities for Braskem.

Specific activities for this position are focused on research and development related to defining structure-property relationships for polymeric systems. A key part of the activity is to build internal capabilities and external network though the cooperation with universities and partners for developing skills, tools, and know-how around commercially relevant and environmentally sustainable materials.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• One of the primary roles of the Advanced Materials Scientist is to advance the development of a robust in-house synthesis and advanced characterization. This includes the support of the design and formulation of different molecules for new polymer systems.
• Designing innovative polymer systems giving them new properties and convert them into higher value polymers; that are sustainable and low-carbon footprint.
• Assess technical and business opportunities and identify potential areas for research and development, establishing strategy and tactics to achieve technical and business goals. This includes idea generation.
• Generation of data through lab experimentation and synthesis, characterization, processing, and artificial intelligence approaches on the research of new materials and technologies, leveraging the infrastructure of all Braskem's Research Centers and external partners.
• Defining structure-property relationships for polymeric systems to facilitate development of commercially relevant and sustainable material with focus on circular economy.
• Planning, coordinating and leading development projects and/or R&D tasks related to the development of advanced materials with cross-functional global teams, defining, milestones, resources, IP capture, and communication plan.
• Communicate experimental results and observations in varied formats including patent applications, technical reports and seminars, management team meetings, etc.

Requirements:

• PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering
• Proven track record in the area through patents, papers and seminars
• Outstanding communication skills to different audiences, such as business and technical teams
• Knowledge of application of Materials Informatics and Artificial Intelligence in R&D is desirable
• 5+ years industrial experience on R&D of polymers is preferred
• Hands on experience characterizing polymeric material
• Established network with the Global innovation ecosystem for advanced materials research
• Strong knowledge on physics and chemistry of polymer networks