Polymer Chemist

Location: On-Site (Chattanooga, TN)

Type: Full-Time

Kunin Technologies is revolutionizing the critical mineral supply chain by implementing advanced separation technologies to capture value from overlooked resources.

Metals are everywhere - in solar panels, smartphones, electric vehciles - but as ore grades plummet globally, traditional extraction methods are failing. China dominates critical minerals markets by developing superior separation technologies that extract value from materials American mines discard as waste.

Utilizing Kunin Technologies' breakthrough mass manufacturable nano-separation systems, significantly more value can be produced from each resources, reducing waste, and unlocking domestic critical mineral production.

Kunin's ion-exchange media relies on precisely formulated polymer architectures to deliver mechanical integrity, chemical stability, and controlled swelling behavior under agressive hydrometallurgcal conditions.

You will own crosslinking chemistry for our nanoseparation platform - developing the protocols, kinetic models, and qualification methods that birdge lab-scale discovery to manufacturing reality.

By the end of 2026, we expect:

• Crosslinking protocols established for membrane type materials with validated process windows.

• Kinetic models for cure systems enabling predictive optimization of crosslinking density.

• Qualified media meeting ion-exchange performance specifications for dimensional stability, swelling behavior, and mechanical strength.

• Internal SOPs and knowledge based documening crosslinking for technology transfer to manufacturing.

• Development of crosslinking protocols for resin systems targeting controlled network architecture.

• Kinetic characterization of cure behavior using DSC/TGA, rheology, and DMA to establish reaction models and optimize processing conditions.

• Swelling studies and sol-gel analysis correlating network structure to performance in ion-exchange applications.

• Qualification and testing of crosslinked media under process conditions.

• Documentation of methods, experimental findings, and process parameters in comprehensive SOPs

• Polymer chemist with a PhD (preferred) or MS in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering, and 3-5 years of experience in crosslinking chemistry for polymeric systems.

• Practioner of network formation chemistry with chemical crosslinkers and polymers (not co-polymerization)

• Experimentalist skilled in cure kinetics characterization using DSC/TGA, rheometry, and DMA for thermomechanical analysis,

• Experience in swelling behavior analysis and structure-property relationships linking crosslink density to mechanical and mass transport performance.

• Communicator who documents methods rigorously and collaborates effectively with manufacutring and process engineering teams to enable scale-up.

This role will pay $80,000 - $140,000, benefit and equity.

Company facilities include gym, sauna, and ice batch.

• Must be willing to relocate to Chattanooga, TN

• Ocassional travel to toll manufacturing partners and equipment vendors.

• Flexibility for extended hours during critical project phases.