Analytical Testing and Application Scientist, Polymer Rheology

Exxon Mobil Corporation; Spring (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

ExxonMobil in Baytown, TX seeks an Analytical Testing and Application Scientist with a PhD in polymer science. You will apply advanced characterization techniques in rheology and related areas to solve technical challenges, support product development, and improve manufacturing performance.

The role requires leadership in polymer characterization, strong data interpretation, and collaboration across product development, manufacturing, and commercial teams to translate analytical findings into

Qualifications

• PhD required with strong background in polymer science and structure-property relationships.
• 5+ years of polymer characterization experience.
• Experience with rheological testing on thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and blends.
• Knowledge of polymer fractionation techniques (GPC, TREF, CFC).
• Ability to correlate rheology with processing and product performance.
• Strong analytical thinking and data interpretation.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Self-motivated and proactive in technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Leverage rheology and related analyses to solve technical challenges and enable business growth.
• Collaborate across product development, manufacturing, and research to translate findings into solutions.
• Provide technical leadership in polymer characterization techniques.
• Develop and validate analytical methods to support product development and manufacturing.
• Serve as subject matter expert for rheology and polymer fractionation.
• Apply advanced tools to relate polymer structure to mechanical and thermal performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address customer needs.
• Advance capabilities through exploring emerging characterization methodologies.
• Provide market feedback to guide future product strategies.
• Monitor industry trends to guide capability development.
• Communicate findings effectively to scientific, manufacturing, and commercial audiences.
• Contribute to publications and conferences.

Skills

Rheology

Polymer fractionation

Thermal analysis

Mechanical analysis

Polymer characterization

Data interpretation

Scientific problem-solving

Communication

Collaboration

Technical leadership

Education

PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science or Chemical Engineering with Polymer Physics background

Tools

Rotational rheometers

Capillary rheometers

DMA

Job description

Analytical Testing and Application Scientist, Polymer Rheology

Location: Baytown, TX, US, 77520

Company Name: ExxonMobil

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,