Polymer Chemistry; Self-Driving Labs - Industrial Postdoctoral Researcher

Polymer Chemistry (Self-Driving Labs) - Industrial Postdoctoral Researcher

Join to apply for the Polymer Chemistry (Self-Driving Labs) - Industrial Postdoctoral Researcher role at AMPHICO

Amphico is a London-based material science startup with global R&D operations across Europe, America, and Japan. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a toxic-free chemical and manufacturing ecosystem by developing novel polymer systems and advanced performance chemistries beyond PFAS.

To advance these technologies, we partner with leading global research organizations. This position is part of a new strategic collaboration with:

• The University of Toronto (Acceleration Consortium): World leaders in self-driving laboratories
• Amphico: Employer and industry partner, headquartered in London

This project will establish one of the world's first industrial self-driving labs for polymer science, focusing on high-value industrial coating and surface science technology development.

We are seeking an exceptional Polymer Chemist for an industrial postdoctoral position to lead the adaptation and build-out of one of the first self-driving laboratories for polymer chemistry.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in synthetic chemistry, polymer design, polymerization, formulation, and characterization
, and is excited by the opportunity to merge chemistry with automation, robotics, and machine learning.

You will work at the interface of synthetic chemistry, automation engineering, and digital R&D, helping establish data-rich experimental workflows for the rapid formulation and optimization of polymeric coatings. This will start with silicones, polyolefins, polysaccharides, and other performance polymer classes, with significant freedom to expand into new chemistries.

This role is perfect for someone who is scientifically rigorous, practically resourceful, excited by emerging automation paradigms, and motivated by industry-relevant, real-world impact rather than purely academic research.

• Design, synthesize, and characterize novel monomers, polymers, and coating formulations using self-driving labs.
• Brainstorm, design, develop, and optimize polymerization workflows relevant to silicones, polyolefins, polysaccharides, and other functional polymers.
• Lead the development of polymer surface science workflows for coating adhesion, durability, and performance metrics.

• Translate polymer chemistry workflows into automated experimental protocols.
• Work alongside automation and hardware experts in Toronto to shape the design of robotic handling, synthesis modules, and characterization stations.
• Build closed-loop systems connecting synthesis, testing, and ML-driven decision-making.

• Collaborate with Amphico's ML scientists to design experimental search spaces, optimization frameworks, and modeling approaches for polymer behavior.
• Support the development of predictive tools for formulation, processability, and structure–property relationships by bringing chemistry domain expertise and experimental data.

• Ensure all R&D decisions consider industrial scalability, cost, manufacturability, and environmental impact.
• Support and translate lab discoveries into industry-ready chemistries and processes.
• Maintain strong documentation, reproducibility, and asset ownership of all workflows and data.
• Drive an ambitious R&D roadmap and own the execution schedule.
• Work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams in Toronto and London.
• Contribute to regular reporting for both academic and industrial partners.

• PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or closely related field - or 5+ years of equivalent experience.
• Deep expertise in one ore more:
  polymer synthesis, polymerization mechanisms, formulation chemistry
  .
• Strong expertise in lab automation, robotics, Python scripting and programming (e.g., OT-2 framework).
• Understanding or experience in self-driving labs (or…