Polymer Formulation Chemist

Job Title: Polymer Formulation Chemist                                                       Job ID: PA

PolyAnalytik Inc. (PAI) was incorporated in May 2008, with our headquarters at Western University Research Park in London, Ontario, Canada. Our multidisciplinary team of polymer chemists, materials scientists, and engineers has delivered advanced analytical services and developed proprietary polymer technologies for industrial, environmental, and energy applications.

Our R&D division is expanding and seeking a Polymer Formulation Chemist to help design next-generation polyacrylamide-based systems across oil & gas, wastewater treatment, mining, and specialty industrial applications.

We are building a portfolio of advanced water-soluble polymer technologies and are looking for a scientifically curious, hands-on chemist who thrives on solving real industrial formulation challenges.

Job Summary: A Polymer Formulation Chemist to join our research and development team and contribute to the development of next-generation polymer products. This role focuses on the organic chemistry aspects of polymer synthesis, with particular emphasis on understanding and improving polymer performance under extreme conditions.

You will work closely with the Lead Scientist to advance our IP portfolio, solve complex formulation challenges, and support the commercialization of our proprietary technologies.

This is a hands-on laboratory role ideal for a polymer chemist who enjoys bench chemistry and formulation design, wants to make a tangible impact, and is excited about working at the intersection of polymer science and industrial application.

Key Responsibilities:

Polymer Design & Formulation Development

• Synthesize acrylamide-based polymers and related copolymers using various polymerization techniques (UV-initiated, thermal, redox) and controlled radical polymerization techniques
• Design and execute experiments to develop new polymer formulations for applications such as but not limited to Enhanced Oil Recovery, hydraulic fracturing, and wastewater treatment
• Optimize monomer ratios, initiator systems, and reaction conditions to achieve target polymer properties

Structure–Property & Stability Design

• Investigate thermal, hydrolytic, and oxidative degradation mechanisms
• Develop strategies to improve polymer stability in harsh environments (extremely high temperature and high salinity)
• Design and execute accelerated aging studies and long-term stability programs
• Correlate molecular architecture with viscosity retention, shear stability, and flocculation efficiency

Innovation & Troubleshooting

• Proactively propose new monomers, architectures, or stabilization strategies and evaluate alternative chemistries
• Analyze degradation products and propose mechanistic explanations

·       Research literation and translate scientific literature into practical formulation strategies

• Identify cost-performance optimization pathways across multiple industries
• Contribute to internal IP development, technical reports, and patent drafting
• Scale up synthesis from laboratory to pilot scale

Scientific Communication & Knowledge Leadership

• Present experimental findings, literature insights, and formulation strategies to, internal R&D team, senior management, and external collaborators and stakeholders
• Prepare technical presentations and white papers
• Contribute to conference abstracts, technical publications, and industry presentations where appropriate
• Support business development discussions with scientifically grounded technical input

Analytical Work

• Perform polymer characterization using techniques such as:
• Viscometry (non-Newtonian fluids, rheology)
• Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC/SEC)
• FTIR, NMR spectroscopy
• Thermal aging studies (glovebox) and brine compatibility studies
• Interpret analytical data to guide formulation improvements
• Develop and validate analytical methods as needed

Other responsibilities

·      Collaboration: Collaborating with internal and external researchers to develop and commercialize products

·      Leadership: Leading a team of research assistants and interns/Co-ops, providing guidance, training, and supervision as needed.

·      Equipment Maintenance: Routine maintenance and troubleshooting of the equipment to keep it in good working condition.

·      Quality Control: Ensuring analytical equipment and methods meet the required quality standards by performing validation experiments, utilizing written SOPs, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Macromolecular Science, or closely related areas
• OR MSc with 5+ years of relevant industrial experience in polymer formulation or water-soluble polymers

Required Skills

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to learn
• Ability to design experiments independently within defined project scope
• Strong mechanistic problem-solving mindset
• Comfortable working under technical leadership while contributing innovative ideas
• Excellent documentation, written and verbal communication skills

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with polyacrylamides/polyacrylates or related water-soluble polymer synthesis
• Knowledge of oilfield chemistry and EOR applications
• Understanding of high-temperature and high-salinity polymer behavior
• Experience with controlled radical polymerizations (RAFT and ATRP), synthesizing agents, initiators and speciality monomers
• Familiarity with cationic, anionic, and non-ionic monomer systems
• Experience applying Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Background in industrial R&D environments

How to Apply: Please send a most current resume and cover letter to the email below (indicating “Polymer Formulation Chemist - R&D PA ” in the Subject line

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed-term contract

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person