Scientist/Associate (Ph.D.)

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges.  

Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.  

Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team!   

Key statistics: 

• 950+ Consultants 
• 640+ Ph.D.s 
• 90+ Disciplines 
• 30+ Offices globally 

Exponent's Polymers & Chemistry Practice is seeking a Scientist/Associate to join our consulting staff in our Natick, MA office. Candidates should have an advanced degree (Ph.D. or equivalent), with some related industrial experience considered a plus. The successful candidate will possess extensive practical knowledge in rubber and elastomeric materials, with a particular emphasis on tire compounds, performance, and durability. Experience within a tire manufacturing environment or related rubber component manufacturing is required. The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of structure–property relationships in elastomers, as well as practical experience in experimental characterization and failure analysis of rubber systems. Candidates should be highly skilled in analytical and experimental techniques relevant to elastomers, including rheology and viscoelastic characterization, mechanical and durability testing (e.g., fatigue, tear, abrasion, crack growth), microscopy and fractography, and chemical analysis methods such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, and DMA. Experience with rubber compounding, curing, and manufacturing processes is a strong plus.

This position requires some travel and will involve collaboration with scientists and engineers from other Exponent offices and practices. A long-term goal for a successful candidate will be to develop business by obtaining new projects and bringing new clients to the firm.

• Inspections, scientific analysis and testing to address the specification and reliability of polymeric materials in a variety of applications ranging from automotive products to construction materials.
• A significant portion of activities will include root cause analysis related to tire and rubber component performance, durability, and in-service failures.
• Assignments will require the ability to gather information from and convey technical conclusions to individuals in engineering, business, law and industry.

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• A strong theoretical and practical knowledge of polymeric materials and associated characterization techniques
• Specific expertise in elastomers and rubber materials, with preferred experience in tire compounds and/or other rubber components
• Industry experience at a tire manufacturer or within rubber component manufacturing is required
• Experience with rubber-focused characterization and testing techniques, including rheology, DMA, fatigue and crack growth testing, abrasion and tear testing
• Familiarity with rubber compounding, curing, and manufacturing processes is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Superior problem-solving abilities
• Strong educational and publication credentials
• Strong teamwork and leadership skills
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States.  No immigration sponsorship or processing required

Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) with publications (feel free to include publications that are in review or pending) [not restricted to 1 page].

To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links:
https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent
https://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact

Attracting, inspiring, developing, and rewarding exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and expertise are central to our corporate culture. Our diverse team allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment.  

Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well-being. We believe that providing competitive benefits as well as compensation and recognition programs empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference. 

At Exponent, we have found that in-person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for​ building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment. Our consultants engage in-person in the office unless they are traveling for client work or other business activities.

We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well-being. Consultants have the autonomy to balance their work and personal schedules so you can meet with clients, visit inspection sites, attend conferences, and make time for priorities outside of work, too. It is this flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow our teams to drive innovation and results in their own ways, while meeting the needs of clients. #LI-Onsite

Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Associate and Senior Associate level, total compensation includes base salary, bi-weekly bonuses for high-intensity efforts, annual bonus and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

The base salary range for this position is dependent on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.