Polymer Chemist with Formulation Expertise

We are a fast-growing startup from ETH Zurich pioneering sustainable biomaterials made from microorganisms. We're on a mission to replace petroleum-based additives with high-performance, renewable alternatives. If you're passionate about materials innovation and want to make a real-world impact, this role is for you.

We are looking for a creative and hands-on Polymer Chemist with Formulation Expertise to join our growing team. In this role, you’ll play a key part in developing and optimizing innovative, bio-based formulations for various applications ranging from coatings, paints, adhesives to cosmetics or even textile.

This is not a routine lab job. You’ll be inventing at the edge of material science—prototyping, testing, and iterating formulations that push performance boundaries while meeting ambitious sustainability goals. You'll design and implement chemical strategies to modify and functionalize surfaces, improving compatibility, stability, and material performance across various end-use systems.

We’re looking for someone who is not only technically excellent, but also thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. If you're excited by the idea of helping shape the future of sustainable materials from the ground up, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.

We are seeking a curious and driven scientist with a strong background in polymer chemistry, formulation engineering, and surface modification. You have hands-on experience developing and optimizing water-based systems such as coatings, adhesives, or cosmetics, and the ability to tailor material properties through chemical design. Your expertise enables you to translate complex chemistry into scalable, application-ready solutions — especially in bio-based or cellulose-rich systems. You thrive in interdisciplinary teams and are motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact in a fast-moving, mission-driven startup. 

Ideal Skills & Expertise

We are looking for a scientist with strong fundamentals and hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas. While direct experience with cellulose or nanocellulose is a plus, scientists with solid backgrounds in chemistry, polymer synthesis, or formulation science are well-positioned to succeed in this role.

• Polymer Chemistry & Synthesis
  Deep understanding of polymer structure – property relationships, crosslinking mechanisms, and behavior in solution. Experience with functionalization of biopolymers or synthetic polymers, and the ability to design materials for specific performance attributes.
  
  
• Formulation Science
  Development and optimization of water-based formulations (e.g., coatings, adhesives, cosmetics, or food systems). Familiarity with emulsions, suspensions, rheology modifiers, and colloidal interactions.
  
  
• Surface Chemistry & Modification
  Knowledge of modifying material surfaces for improved compatibility in multi-phase systems. Experience with chemical grafting, functional coatings, or tailoring surface energy.
  
• Material Characterization
  Skilled in techniques such as FTIR, NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, XPS, microscopy, and rheometry to assess composition, structure, and behavior of complex systems.
  
  
• Rheology & Colloidal Stability
  Understanding of flow behavior, shear-thinning, gelation, and thixotropy in polymer and particle-based suspensions. Familiarity with electrostatic and steric stabilization mechanisms.
  
• Design of Experiments (DoE)
  Ability to plan and analyze experimental campaigns to optimize formulations and processes. Comfortable working across lab and pilot scales.

Who You Might Be?

• A polymer scientist, materials scientist, or chemical engineer (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) with a strong foundation in polymer synthesis, formulation, or surface chemistry.
• Experienced in developing complex formulations, even if your background is from adjacent industries like cosmetics, paints, food tech, or biotech—you understand how materials behave, and you know how to fine-tune them.
• Curious, analytical, and excited by the challenge of applying your knowledge to cellulose-based systems, even if you haven’t worked with them before.
• Comfortable working in a startup environment—flexible, hands-on, and ready to contribute across disciplines as the company evolves.
• Nice to have: Experience working with MFC, CNC, or other cellulose derivatives.

We offer a key role in a fast-moving, purpose-driven startup, working on hands-on projects at the forefront of material science with space to advance your career as we explore new application frontiers. You'll enjoy flexibility in your work setup and the support of a motivated team driven by impact and innovation.