Principal Scientist - Polymer Rheology

Avery Dennison is seeking an accomplished Principal Scientist to provide technical leadership in Polymer Rheology and Processing within the Global Materials Science and Characterization (MSC) organization. This role combines deep scientific expertise, laboratory leadership and organizational capability building to advance the understanding of complex polymeric systems and accelerate innovation across Avery Dennison’s global businesses. 

The successful candidate will be recognized as a subject matter expert in polymer rheology, viscoelasticity, soft materials, polymer processing, with a proven ability to translate fundamental science into practical solutions for product development, manufacturing, quality and customer challenges. Working across pressure-sensitive adhesives, functional films, coatings and laminates, this individual will leverage structure-property-process relationships to solve critical technical problems, create new characterization approaches, and drive innovation. 

In addition to technical excellence, this role requires a mature scientific leader who can mentor and develop scientists and technicians, guide technical priorities, strengthen organizational capabilities, and foster a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration and continuous learning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the global subject matter expert in polymer rheology, viscoelasticity and polymer processing

• Lead the Rheology and Thermal Characterization Laboratory, establishing technical priorities and ensuring delivery of high-quality, impactful results aligned with business needs.

• Mentor, coach, and develop scientists, engineers and technicians while fostering technical excellence and capability growth across the organization.

• Conceive, develop and execute innovative experimental approaches to understand and predict material behavior under complex thermal, mechanical, chemical and processing conditions.

• Lead experimental investigations into rheological and thermal behavior of adhesives (including emulsion, hot melts, rubbers, suspension, solvent), coatings, films, and related soft material systems and laminates.

• Expertly connect mechanical response and processing behavior to the polymer composition, molecular weight and its distribution, architecture, network topology and fundamental properties using polymer physics scaling laws. 

• Evolve holistic sum total interpretation and guidance along with other analytical methods and subject matter experts.

• Partner closely with R&D, Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality and Operations teams globally to solve critical technical challenges and enable successful commercialization. 

• Drive the evolution of characterization capabilities through the identification, evaluation, and implementation of emerging analytical techniques and methodologies including custom purpose-built instrumentation to study a given phenomenon.

• Oversee laboratory operations, instrumentation, budgets, and technical resources to ensure safe, efficient, and effective execution.

• Communicate technical findings effectively through reports, presentations, publications, and technical reviews with internal and external stakeholders. Work in a manner to institutionalize knowledge through the development and curation of model-ready databases in support of the overall R&D digitalization strategy.

• Maintain a strong commitment to safety, operational excellence, and scientific integrity.

• Ph.D in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related discipline.

• 10+ years of industrial experience in polymer rheology, soft materials characterization, polymer processing or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience in rheological characterization of polymer melts, solutions, dispersions, adhesives and other viscoelastic soft materials.

• Extensive hands-on experience with rotational, capillary and extensional rheometry, DMA, DSC, TGA, TMA and related characterization techniques.

• Proven ability to solve complex technical problems through the application of structure-process-property principles. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence technical and business stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience leading, mentoring, or developing scientists, engineers, and technical staff in an industrial R&D or analytical sciences environment.

• Expertise applying rheology to guide polymer synthesis, adhesive development, extrusion, coating, converting, or high-speed web processing operations.

• Demonstrated record of scientific leadership through publications, patents, conference presentations, or significant business impact. 

• Experience building laboratory capabilities, implementing new methodologies, and driving strategic technical initiatives.

• Ability to operate effectively across fundamental science, product development, and manufacturing environments.

• Experience in working within global cross-functional teams.

• Less than 15% travel anticipated for this role.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and productive work environment, Avery Dennison requires all final candidates to successfully complete a comprehensive background check and a drug screening. These checks are conducted post-offer and are a condition of employment. All results will be considered in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. 

Reasonable Accommodations Notice
If you require accommodations to view or apply for a job, alternative methods are available to submit an application. Please contact (440) 534-6000 or NA.TA.Operations@averydennison.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.