Polymer Scientist, Rheology

Job Description
Avery Dennison is seeking an energetic Polymer Scientist who is able to deploy deep expertise in rheology to address product performance and novel concepts in adhesion, release (pressure sensitive laminates of soft polymers and films) and coating and polymer processing related challenges. The position will be with the Materials Science and Characterization (MSC) Group, which primarily supports Global R&D activities at Avery Dennison’s Mentor, OH location, chartered to support and resolve technical problems from long term projects to urgent manufacturing and quality issues stemming from across Avery Dennison’s global operations. The position will involve the use of deep experimental, theoretical and modeling based understanding of viscoelasticity of polymer melts, solution and soft matter. Astute problem solving using structure-process-property principles leveraging materials chemistry, adhesion science, modeling and surface/interface/rheological physics with a high focus on practical applications.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Drive fundamental understanding and insights of complex materials and time/rate dependent phenomena (polymeric adhesives, block copolymers, nanostructured hybrid materials, gels, colloids and multi-layer laminates) using a full spectrum of rheological and allied approaches. Develop material structure-process-property-performance correlations.
Use strong materials fundamentals (polymer physics) to champion novel design paradigms in areas of interest to AD. Provide technical leadership by developing highly practical programs to achieve project objectives including working in cross-functional teams.
Interact with teams composed of experimental synthetic scientists, characterization, predictive modeling, product developers and process technologists to develop the insights from physical models, theory and surgical experiments that enable rapid exploration of design parameter space without need for extensive prototyping.
Distill concepts to a highly fundamental level using scaling and modeling treating problems unified by similar physical/chemical processes as a class, leading to the development of new material concepts.
Develop and implement test methods to support new product/process development projects and discern structure-property relationships. Conceive and render efficient testing of materials and material discovery using high throughput methods.
Interface with SMEs in rheology/spectroscopy/ physical testing, computing & analytical/process/product development teams etc. to help surface relevant structure-property relationships and guide experiments and technical approach to obtain data for model parameterization and validation.
Interpret data, write technical reports, and communicate research activities and results with other divisional scientists in a high-quality, professional, and timely manner.
Be the subject matter expert in rheology and fluid mechanics. Establish and utilize rheological signatures to determine polymer structure and models thereof.
Work to provide timely support working in close collaboration with immediate and extended team members (Chemists, Engineers, end users) and cross-functional teams situated globally (US, Europe, Asia & South America).
Proactively initiate and execute upon relevant R&D projects and platforms.
Conceive and execute experimental investigations including validation on pilot and production scale as necessary Develop and implement test methods including custom built setup to support new product/process development projects and discern structure-property relationships.
Utilize theoretical and modeling approaches (rheological, mesoscale and AI/ML based) to deliver deep insights and identify scaling relationships and their application in driving significant breakthrough solutions.
Constantly seek to bring in new characterization techniques and depth in understanding of the underlying Material Science in areas of interest.
Interpret data, write technical reports, and communicate analytical results with MSC and divisional scientists and production engineers in a high-quality, professional, and timely manner.
Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory and pilot plant safety audits.