Senior Polymer Scientist

• Be at the forefront of sustainable materials innovation.

• Collaborative and dynamic team environment.

• Competitive compensation and equity package.

• Opportunity to directly contribute to environmental sustainability through groundbreaking technology.

FutureBio is hiring a creative senior polymer scientist who is eager to contribute to the better future for the global environment and sustainability. The scientist, with in-depth expertise in polymer synthesis, formulation, compounding and engineering, will work closely with our CEO, CTO and passionate scientist groups to develop and optimize easily recyclable or biodegradable and marketable plastics polymerized from our microbial biomanufactured chemicals and facilitate the commercialization of these innovative plastics. This job offers an exciting opportunity to advance your career in material science and experience multidisciplinary collaborations in fields of biomolecular engineering, protein engineering and fermentation technology, as well as shaping a better path and culture of FutureBio, as an early-stage startup. 

• Lead the synthesis of target plastic samples from biomanufactured or chemically synthesized materials.

• Design, conduct and coordinate testings for materials characterization (TGA, DSC, FTIR, tensile, flexural, hardness, MFI, SEM or others required for marketability) and food safety on synthesized plastic samples through in house or 3rd party instrumentation and analyze the data.

• Design and conduct engineering, compounding and modification on product plastics based on testing data to improve their properties and develop them into marketable and industrial moldable or processable product resins.

• Lead and coordinate the downstream processes and scale up of plastic production from monomers supplied from fermentation.

• Set up and manage the polymer chemistry lab space in this early-stage biotech startup.

• Record all data and experimental notes and attend routine meetings to report the research progress and plans.

• Conceive or introduce new ideas by mining scientific literature and in-house results and models.

• Contribute to generation and documentation of intellectual property.

• Build amicable working relationships with fellow scientists and research associates.

• PhD in polymer science and engineering, chemical engineering, polymer chemistry, material science and engineering or a related discipline.

• More than two years of industrial experience in polymer materials science R&D and materials processing.

• Sufficient knowledge and experience in polymer synthesis, formulation (injection, compression or extrusion molding and other processing), compounding, modification and engineering is a plus.

• Highly familiar with plastic materials testing and data collection and analysis. 

• Understanding the relationship between molecular structure and properties of polymers is a plus.

• Sufficient knowledge and experience in downstream processes and scale up of plastic production for commercialization is a plus.

• Strong independent working, problem solving, planning and communication (written, verbal) skills.

• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the fast-paced, dynamic needs of a startup environment.

• Experience working with bio-based polymers or sustainable materials like recyclable or degradable polymers.

• Experience with dynamic or reversible polymer networks (e.g., vitrimers, dynamic covalent polymers, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPUs)) is a plus.

• Experience in scaling laboratory processes to pilot and commercial scale.

• Stock options

• Insurance coverage including health, dental and vision

• Unlimited paid time off