Analytical Testing and Application Scientist, Polymer Rheology

ExxonMobil; Spring (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Savings Plan

Workplace Flexibility

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

ExxonMobilBaytown seeks a PhD-level polymer characterization expert to lead advanced analytical work, focusing on rheology, polymer fractions, and structure–property relationships. You will collaborate across development, manufacturing, and commercial teams to translate insights into scalable solutions and product differentiation.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, methodological development, and impact on high‑volume production, with opportunities to contribute to IP, publications, and

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science or Chemical Engineering with Polymer Physics background.
• 5+ years of experience in polymer characterization with strong structure–property correlations in polymers (thermoplastics, thermosets, blends, block copolymers).
• 3+ years hands-on experience with rheological instrumentation and testing on plastics using rotational rheometers, capillary rheometers, and DMA.
• Strong knowledge of polymer fractionation: multidetector GPC, TREF, and CFC.
• Strong knowledge of rheological models to predict processing behavior and performance.
• Understanding of structure–property relationships in polymers and their rheology.
• Ability to correlate rheological data with processing conditions and product performance.
• Ability to identify root causes of processing issues (e.g., melt fracture, die swell, surface finish, degradation).
• Excellent analytical thinking, data interpretation, and problem solving.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and technical leadership.
• Self-motivated, organized, able to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced analytic characterization to solve technical challenges and drive product innovation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate analysis into business insights.
• Provide technical leadership in rheology and polymer analysis.
• Develop, validate, and implement analytical methods supporting development and manufacturing.
• Serve as SME for rheology and fractionation methods, including troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
• Apply advanced tools to link polymer microstructure with mechanical and rheological properties.
• Engage with customers and internal teams to address technical needs and growth opportunities.
• Advance capabilities by evaluating new characterization technologies and methodologies.
• Share technical findings and market feedback to guide future strategies.
• Monitor industry trends to guide capability development and innovation.
• Communicate results to scientific, manufacturing, commercial, and customer audiences.
• Contribute to IP, publications, and conferences.

Skills

Polymer characterization

Rheology expertise

GPC/TREF/CFC

DSC/TGA knowledge

Structure-property relations

Data analysis

Technical leadership

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Polymer Science

Tools

Rheometer

Capillary rheometer

DMA

GPC

TREF

CFC

Job description

About Us

For well over a century, ExxonMobil has been at the heart of creating and growing a modern world. We embrace the power and promise of technology, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. For billions around the world, lives are better and last longer because of the innovative problem solving and reliable energy we provide. And when it comes to developing industrial solutions to reduce carbon emissions, ExxonMobil is truly the leader.

We don't stop at "good enough." We are committed to doing what's right, even if it's difficult or unpopular. We hold ourselves to high standards, challenge what's possible and invest in innovation to meet society's critical needs.

Real change begins with bold questions, drive, and ambition. Here, your talent, determination and contributions shape how far you'll go and the impact you'll make along the way.

Our future success depends on exceptional people. We invest in developing talent through meaningful work, challenging assignments, mentorship, and experiences that help build the next generation of leaders.

Our Culture

We are uniquely ExxonMobil. Integrity, care, excellence, resilience and courage, these core values determine how we work every day. At ExxonMobil, our values aren't just words- they're how we show up, focused on delivering the right answer, the right way, every day.

About Baytown

With a population of more than 77,000, Baytown, Texas, is located in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, just east of Houston, the nation's fourth largest city. Those who live and work in Baytown will find an area rich in history, as well as opportunities for outdoor activities due to its proximity to scenic waterways, namely Galveston Bay, the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou.

Founded in 1919, ExxonMobil's Baytown Complex is located on approximately 3,400 acres along the Houston Ship Channel, about 25 miles east of Houston. Employing a workforce of more than 8,500, it is comprised of four manufacturing sites, including one in nearby Mont Belvieu, and a global technology center. These include the Baytown Refinery, one of the largest refineries in the United States, and the Baytown Olefins Plant, one of the largest ethylene plants in the world. Its scope of products includes fuels, lube oils, and chemical compounds used in a diverse range of products, from auto battery cases, diapers and tire inner tubes to pharmaceutical uses, food packaging, trash bags and more.

The Baytown area sites are highly integrated, which makes the plants and products more efficient as we develop technologies to make cleaner fuels and work together to operate more safely and reliably. Learn more about what we do in Baytown here.

What Role You Will Play In Our Team

• Leverage expertise in advanced characterization techniques, including Rheology, polymer fractionation, thermal analysis, and mechanical analysis, to solve complex technical challenges, support product innovation, enhance manufacturing performance, and enable business growth.
• Collaborate across product development, manufacturing, commercial and research organizations to generate insights into polymer structure-property-performance relationships and translate analytical findings into impactful business solutions.
• Provide technical leadership in polymer characterization technologies, with emphasis on rheological and solid mechanical analysis.
• Develop, optimize, validate, and implement analytical methods to support product development, manufacturing, customer support, and market growth.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for rheology, polymer fractionation thermal analysis, and mechanical analysis techniques, including method stewardship, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
• Apply advanced analytical tools to investigate correlations between polymer microstructure, mechanical, rheological and thermal response and establish structure-property-performance relationships.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address technical challenges, support customer needs, and identify opportunities for product differentiation.
• Advance analytical capabilities through the evaluation and implementation of emerging characterization technologies and methodologies.
• Provide technical insights and market feedback to support future product and technology development strategies.
• Monitor industry trends, customer needs, and competitive technologies to guide capability development and innovation.
• Communicate technical findings effectively to scientific, manufacturing, commercial, and customer audiences.
• Contribute to intellectual property, technical publications, and conference presentations.

About You

Skills & Qualifications:

• PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science or Chemical Engineering with Polymer Physics background.
• 5+ years of experience in polymer characterization. Strong background on structure-property correlations in polymeric materials (thermoplastics, thermosets, blends and block copolymers).
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience with rheological instrumentation and rheological testing on thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and blends using instruments such as rotational rheometers, capillary rheometers, and DMA.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of polymer fractionation techniques such as multidetector GPC, TREF, and CFC.
• Strong knowledge of rheological models and theories to predict processing behavior and end‑use product performance.
• Strong knowledge of the structure-property relationships relating polymer microstructure and rheological response.
• Able to correlate rheological data with processing conditions and end‑use product performance.
• Able to identify root causes of processing issues (e.g., melt fracture, die swell, poor surface finish, degradation, oxidation, etc.).
• Excellent analytical thinking, data interpretation, and scientific problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills.
• Self‑motivated, organized, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience:

• Experienced in polymer processing operations (blown‑film, cast‑film, extrusion in general, injection molding, blow molding, compounding processes, etc.).
• A good understanding of polymeric system thermal behavior (melting, crystallization, degradation, oxidation, etc.) and how to characterize it (DSC, TGA).
• A good understanding of the characterization of molecular characteristics of polymers using polymer fractionation techniques.
• A good knowledge of industrial polymers (e.g., PE, PP, EP copolymers) and their applications.
• Familiarity with complementary analytical tools such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and microscopy.
• Demonstrated record of patents, publications, and conference presentations.

Your Benefits

An ExxonMobil career is one designed to last. Our commitment to you runs deep: our employees grow personally and professionally, with benefits built on our core categories of health, security, finance, and life.

We offer you:

• Pension Plan: Enrollment is automatic and at no cost to you. The basic benefit is a monthly annuity to be paid to you in retirement for the rest of your life.
• Savings Plan: You can contribute between 6% and 20% of your pay and are encouraged to enroll right away. If you contribute at least 6% to your savings plan, the Company will contribute a 7% match.
• Workplace Flexibility: We have several programs such as "Flex your Day", providing ad‑hoc flexibility around when and where you work, as well as longer‑term programs such as leaves of absence and part‑time work.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Culture of Health: Programs and resources to support your wellbeing.
• Employee Health Advisory Program: Provides confidential professional counseling for you and your family, including tools and resources promoting mental health and resiliency at no additional cost to you.
• Disability Plan: Income replacement for when you cannot work due to illness or injury occurring on or off the job. Enrollment is automatic and at no cost to you.
• More information on our Company’s benefits can be found at www.exxonmobilfamily.com
• Please note benefits may be changed from time to time without notice, subject to applicable law.

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ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.

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