Research Scientist, Polymer Physicist

Meta Careers; Redmond, Pasadena (WA, CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Materials and Systems Innovation (MSI) group within Meta's Reality Labs Research seeks a senior polymer science researcher to accelerate breakthrough materials and device technologies for wearable AR and robotics. You will lead computational and experimental projects, guide multiscale simulations, and partner with cross-functional teams to drive innovation from concept to manufacturability.

Candidates will have a PhD with extensive polymer theory, modeling, and leadership experience, plus a

Qualifications

• PhD in one of the specified fields with 6+ years of postdoctoral/industry research experience.
• Deep expertise in polymer theory and computational modeling, including multiscale methods.
• Ability to work directly with experimentalists to guide bench work and interpret data.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders.
• Peer-reviewed publications and effective written/verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects or sub-teams and mentor scientists to deliver results.
• Drive research agendas and navigate stakeholder management.
• Collaborate with academic partners, industry consortia, and vendors to advance goals.
• Apply ML/AI approaches to materials design and high-throughput testing.

Skills

Polymer theory

Computational modeling

Multiscale simulation

Experimental collaboration

Technical leadership

Peer-reviewed publications

AI/ML in materials design

Synthesis and processing

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Polymer Science/Polymer Physics/Chemical Engineering/Materials Science/ Chemistry/ Physics

Tools

LAMMPS

OpenMM

ASE

HOOMD

Job description

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.

• 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