Research Scientist, Polymer Physicist

Meta; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta's Materials and Systems Innovation (MSI) group in Reality Labs Research seeks a technical leader for the polymer domain. You will own the roadmap, drive simulations, and collaborate closely with experimentalists to connect theory with bench data.

You will mentor scientists, develop multiscale models, and help steer autonomous discovery workflows. A PhD and 6+ years in polymer science are expected, with strong publication and leadership track records.

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Science, Polymer Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or closely related field.
• 6+ years of combined postdoctoral and/or industry research in computational/theoretical polymer science.
• Deep knowledge of polymer theory, viscoelasticity, rheology, and multiscale simulations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for the polymer research group; own the scientific roadmap and mentor team.
• Develop theoretical and computational models of polymer structures for electromechanical coupling.
• Build and apply multiscale simulation workflows to relate structure, property, and performance.
• Collaborate with experimentalists to interpret data and guide bench work.
• Integrate workflows into autonomous discovery platform with automation teams.
• Identify new research directions and build plans with external collaborators.
• Represent polymer efforts in reviews and partnerships; publish and present findings.

Skills

Polymer theory

Computational modeling

Multiscale simulation

Experimental collaboration

Leadership

Machine learning in materials

LI-ion polymer systems

Education

PhD in Polymer Science/related field

Tools

LAMMPS

OpenMM

ASE

HOOMD

Job description

The Materials and Systems Innovation (MSI) group, in Meta's Reality Labs Research, creates and accelerates breakthrough materials and device technologies that unblock the path to low-cost, all-day wearable AR devices and advanced sensing and actuating systems for robotics. We identify key technology gaps requiring step-change innovation, build AI-driven autonomous discovery pipelines to compress development timelines, leverage external partners to accelerate research, and deliver high-quality technology solutions through cross-functional, high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for the polymer research group: own the scientific roadmap for polymer materials, set priorities, review designs and data, and mentor scientists and engineers across computational and experimental roles
• Develop theoretical and computational models of polymer structures to provide fundamental understanding about electromechanical coupling in ionic polymers, gels, and polyelectrolytes
• Build and apply multiscale simulation workflows to establish structure-property-performance relationships
• Partner closely with experimentalists in the lab - understand and help design the experiments, interpret DSC/GPC/DMA/rheology/impedance/FTIR and actuation-and-sensing characterization, and reconcile models against measured data
• Integrate computational workflows into our autonomous discovery platform, collaborating with automation engineers, data scientists, and AI agent scientists so that models, robotic workcells, and instrument data operate as a closed loop
• Identify and champion new research directions in polymer science - including materials classes, physics, or device concepts beyond the current portfolio - and build the case, plan, and collaborations to pursue them
• Represent the polymer effort in cross-functional reviews and with external academic and industrial partners; publish and present where appropriate

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Science, Polymer Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field
• 6+ years of combined postdoctoral and/or industry research experience in computational or theoretical polymer science
• Demonstrated depth in polymer theory and computational modeling - statistical mechanics of polymers, viscoelasticity and rheology, transport phenomena, and multiscale simulation methods
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with experimentalists: understanding experimental methods, interpreting characterization data, and using models to guide bench work
• Evidence of technical leadership - leading projects or sub-teams, mentoring scientists, and driving multi-person research agendas to results, navigating complex stakeholder management
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications and effective written and verbal communication with both specialist and cross-functional audiences Hands-on experience with ionic polymer systems such as ionomers, polyelectrolytes, ion gels, polymer networks, and IPMC actuators
• Background in polymer synthesis and processing methods to guide manufacturability, formulation, and synthetic feasibility
• Hands-on experience with molecular simulation and/or coarse-grained modeling packages (e.g., LAMMPS, OpenMM, ASE, HOOMD) and high throughput simulation
• Experience with polymer experimental characterization and failure analysis
• Knowledge of LLM-driven automation, high-throughput testing, self-driving laboratory setups
• Experience with academic collaborators, industry consortia, and vendor engagement to advance technical goals
• Demonstrated history of establishing novel research initiatives and technical programs from initiation
• Familiarity with polymer informatics, public soft matter repositories, and machine learning potentials
• Working literacy in AI/ML for materials design: practical experience applying ML property prediction, surrogate modeling, or generative design to molecular or polymeric systems
• Experience in sensor and actuator technology, including electromechanical transduction, dielectric elastomeric materials, piezoelectric polymers, and soft robotic systems