Polymer Materials Scientist: Processing & Mechanics

Hitachi, Ltd.; Kraków; On-site; PLN 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical care

Life insurance

Fitness programs

Benefits platform

PPK (Employee Capital Plans)

Home office equipment allowance

Eyewear allowance

Team events

Wellbeing support

Free parking

Job summary

Hitachi Energy Kraków research center seeks a Researcher with solid expertise in polymer materials—epoxy resins, thermoplastics, and related composites—and their processing, mechanical behavior, and life-cycle performance.

You will join an interdisciplinary team focusing on practical processing and manufacturing-ready solutions to ensure reliable mechanical performance in energy distribution and transmission products.

Qualifications

• Master’s or higher degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or related fields.
• Robust understanding of polymer mechanics, including stress–strain behavior, viscoelasticity, fracture mechanics, fatigue, and failure mechanisms of epoxy resins and thermoplastics.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with polymer processing technologies (e.g., molding, curing, extrusion, composite processing, additive manufacturing).
• Experience with mechanical characterization techniques (tensile, compression, impact, DMA, fracture toughness, creep, fatigue).
• Experience with thermal and chemical characterization techniques (DSC, TGA, rheology).
• Knowledge of aging, environmental degradation, reliability, or life-cycle assessment is valued.
• Experience with CAD/CAE or mechanical simulation is an advantage.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary, multicultural teams.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects on polymer materials processing and their application in energy technologies.
• Investigate how manufacturing processes influence material structure, quality, and mechanical performance.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing methods for polymer components to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Evaluate durability, degradation, fracture, creep, fatigue and aging of polymers in demanding environments.
• Assess environmental impacts and life-cycle performance of polymer materials.
• Collaborate with Hitachi Energy researchers to solve material- and mechanics-related challenges.
• Stay up to date on polymer technologies and testing methods for industrial applications.
• Engage with universities and partners to advance polymer mechanics knowledge.
• Communicate research outcomes through reports, papers, conferences, and patents.

Skills

Polymer mechanics

Stress–strain behavior

Fatigue testing

Fracture mechanics

Polymer processing

Thermal/chemical characterization

CAD/CAE

Interdisciplinary teamwork

English fluency

Education

Master’s or higher degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or related fields

Tools

CAD/CAE

Mechanical simulation

Job description

Hitachi Energy Kraków research center seeks a Researcher with solid expertise in polymer materials—epoxy resins, thermoplastics, and related composites—and their processing, mechanical behavior, and life-cycle performance.

You will join an interdisciplinary team focusing on practical processing and manufacturing-ready solutions to ensure reliable mechanical performance in energy distribution and transmission products.