THE ROLE E Ink is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and hands-on Senior Polymer/Materials Scientist to conduct leading-edge materials research for next-generation electrophoretic display technologies. The candidate will serve as a subject-matter expert in the design, formulation, fabrication, and characterization of functional polymer films, adhesives, and coatings for E Ink's front panel laminate (FPL) platforms.
This individual will focus on optimizing the chemical, mechanical, electrical, optical, adhesion, barrier, and reliability properties of external phase materials used in advanced display systems. The role requires strong expertise in polymer formulation chemistry, coating science, interfacial phenomena, and structure-property-performance relationships.
The candidate will be based in Billerica, MA, and will work closely with cross-functional R&D, product, process, and manufacturing teams to translate technical innovations from concept to prototype and ultimately toward commercialization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead the design, formulation, and optimization of polymer-based adhesives, binders, functional coatings, and external phase materials for E Ink's FPL platforms.
- Select and evaluate polymers, resins, crosslinkers, tackifiers, solvents, reactive diluents, surfactants, dispersants, rheology modifiers, adhesion promoters, and other formulation additives.
- Develop formulations with controlled electrical, mechanical, optical, adhesion, cohesion, barrier, rheological, coating, and environmental durability properties.
- Design and execute experiments using design of experiments, statistical analysis, and data-driven approaches to improve formulation efficiency, robustness, and reliability.
- Characterize formulations and coated materials, including adhesion, cohesion, tack, peel strength, shear strength, cure behavior, viscosity, rheology, surface energy, film formation, optical properties, mechanical properties, and environmental aging behavior.
- Develop polymer formulations that meet performance, cost, manufacturability, safety, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.
- Monitor emerging technologies, competitive products, and industry trends in polymer formulations, adhesives, functional coatings, and advanced display materials.
- Document results in comprehensive technical reports and contribute to intellectual property generation through invention disclosures, patents, and trade secrets.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the position. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, education, experience, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant industrial experience; or M.S. with significant relevant industrial experience in polymer formulation, adhesives, coatings, or functional films.
- Strong background in polymer formulation chemistry, functional coatings, adhesives, interfacial science, thin films, or multilayer material systems.
- Experience with pressure-sensitive, structural, laminating, optical, or functional adhesives.
- Knowledge and experience with acrylic, polyurethane, epoxy, silicone, polyester, polyolefin, rubber, or hybrid polymer systems.
- Strong understanding of curing mechanisms, including UV/radiation curing, thermal curing, moisture curing, and chemical curing.
- Experience with analytical and characterization techniques such as rheometry, DSC, TGA, DMA, FTIR, GPC/SEC, microscopy, surface-energy measurement, tensile testing, peel testing, shear testing, and environmental aging.
- Self-directed, hands-on, and motivated personality with the ability to work in a fast-paced, highly interdisciplinary R&D environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience developing materials for optical films, display components, flexible electronics, functional laminates, pressure-sensitive adhesives, or multilayer device structures.
- Knowledge of electrical and dielectric properties of polymeric materials.
- Familiarity with polymer degradation, photostability, environmental aging, adhesion failure, and interfacial failure mechanisms.
COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE At E Ink, we believe in rewarding employees with competitive total compensation through a combination of base salary and performance-based bonuses, with a larger portion of total compensation delivered through our annual bonus program than is typical at many companies. To provide applicants with a more complete picture of our compensation philosophy, we are disclosing both the estimated annual total compensation and the annual base salary range for this position. For this position, the estimated annual total compensation range is $165,000 to $230,000, based on the Company's most recent annual bonus payout. The annual base salary range for this position is $115,000 to $145,000.
The annual base salary range reflects the Company's good-faith estimate of the base salary it reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of posting. Actual starting base salary is determined based on job-related factors, including experience, skills, education, certifications, and other qualifications. Annual bonus payments are based on Company performance, are not guaranteed, and may be higher or lower than the estimate reflected above.
BENEFITS In addition to a competitive base salary, E Ink offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; and a 401(k) retirement savings plan. Additionally, the position is eligible for our bonus program.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
DISCLAIMER: The essential duties and responsibilities described above are intended to provide a general overview of the work performed in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified or assigned at any time to meet business needs, including as a result of reasonable accommodation or other operational requirements.
