Polymer Research Specialist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Polymer Research Specialist

Best Schools to become a Polymer Research Specialist in U.S. 2024

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,815
Out-of-State Tuition:$36,239
Admission Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:74,014

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC

In-State Tuition:$6,535
Out-of-State Tuition:$28,276
Admission Rate:47%
Graduation Rate:85%
Total Enrollment:36,700

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH

In-State Tuition:$11,525
Out-of-State Tuition:$35,782
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:88%
Total Enrollment:60,540

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA

In-State Tuition:$10,258
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,370
Admission Rate:17%
Graduation Rate:93%
Total Enrollment:45,296

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

In-State Tuition:$9,718
Out-of-State Tuition:$28,520
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:83%
Total Enrollment:51,528

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA

In-State Tuition:$19,286
Out-of-State Tuition:$38,102
Admission Rate:55%
Graduation Rate:83%
Total Enrollment:50,028
Polymer Research Specialist Job Description:
  • Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass.
  • Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.
  • Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Polymer Research Specialist

Job Duties for Polymer Research Specialists

  • Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.

  • Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.

  • Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.

Technologies and Skills Used by Polymer Research Specialists

Analytical or scientific software

  • Bruker AXS LEPTOS
  • IBM SPSS Statistics

Object or component oriented development software

  • Python
  • R

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Reading work related information
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Polymer Research Specialist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Polymer Research Specialist

FAQs About Becoming a Polymer Research Specialist