Research Scientist

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Akron, OH, US

2 days ago Requisition

About NEXOMER Engineered Materials

NEXOMER Engineered Materials, formally G3 Chickadee, is a specialty chemical and polymer manufacturer with roughly $1.5 billion in annual revenue, headquartered in Houston, Texas, with research and technology operations based in Akron, Ohio. Built on decades of polymer and rubber chemistry expertise as part of Goodyear's polymer chemicals division, NEXOMER Engineered Materials now operates as an independent, private equity-backed company, combining deep technical heritage with the focus and agility of a standalone growth business.

Position Summary

The Research Scientist is an early-career Ph.D. chemist who owns defined research projects and drives them from hypothesis to actionable results. Drawing on doctoral training in organic, inorganic, organometallic, or polymer chemistry, you will design experimental programs, apply mechanistic understanding to industrial problems, generate intellectual property, and translate lab results into recommendations for Operations and Commercial partners — while coaching technicians and chemists on the methods you develop.

Key Responsibilities

• Own defined R&D projects or major sub-projects: set objectives, design the experimental program, execute hands‑on, and report conclusions and recommendations.
• Apply mechanistic and structure–property understanding to develop new or improved monomers, catalysts, polymers, additives, or processes.
• Lead hands‑on synthesis, catalysis, and polymerization work, including air‑sensitive and organometallic chemistry, from bench through pilot scale.
• Select and interpret advanced characterization (multinuclear/2D NMR, GPC/SEC with multiple detectors, DSC/TGA, rheology, MS) to answer project questions.
• Use DOE and statistical analysis to build robust data sets and defensible conclusions.
• Conduct literature and patent searches; identify white space and freedom‑to‑operate concerns; author invention disclosures.
• Present results and recommendations to cross‑functional teams; support plant trials, scale‑up, and stage‑gate reviews.
• Coach technicians and chemists on new methods and good experimental practice.
• Model safe work and incorporate hazard reviews into all new chemistry.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry with specialization in organic, inorganic, organometallic, or polymer chemistry (or closely related field). Recent graduates and postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to apply; M.S. candidates with substantial industrial R&D experience and a record of independent research will be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute a research program, evidenced by publications, a dissertation, or equivalent industrial results.
• Strong synthetic skills and deep understanding of reaction mechanisms.
• Expertise interpreting spectroscopic, chromatographic, and thermal analysis data.
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to explain complex results to non‑specialists.

Preferred Qualifications

• Anionic or coordination (Ziegler–Natta, lanthanide/neodymium) polymerization; catalyst synthesis or organometallic chemistry.
• Polymer structure–property–processing knowledge; experience with elastomers or rubber systems.
• Industrial internship or postdoctoral work with industry collaboration.
• DOE and statistical software (JMP, Minitab) or Python/R.

Laboratory‑based role (the large majority of time at the bench early in the role) using fume hoods, glove boxes, pressure reactors, and analytical instruments. Requires standard chemical PPE and safe handling of flammable, reactive, and pyrophoric materials. Occasional plant visits and travel (up to ~10%).