R&D Scientist - High Performance Computing Materials

Job Summary

We are seeking an accomplished R&D Scientist to lead Avient's innovation in next-generation thermoplastic materials for High Performance Computing (HPC), AI infrastructure, and hyperscale data center applications.

This technical leader will develop advanced low dielectric constant and ultra-low dielectric loss materials for high-speed connector systems operating at increasingly demanding data rates. The successful candidate will combine expertise in materials science, electrical performance, device physics, and advanced characterization to accelerate commercialization of breakthrough materials for next-generation computing architectures.

The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of the relationship among material structure, processing, characterization of electrical performance for complex form-factors, with experience supporting high-speed connectors, semiconductor packaging, advanced interconnects, data communications, RF systems, or other signal integrity-critical technologies.

As part of Avient's Corporate Technology Innovation organization, this role will influence technology strategy, intellectual property development, customer engagement, and future growth platforms at the forefront of AI and digital infrastructure.

Essential Functions

Technical Leadership & Innovation

• Lead development of next-generation thermoplastic materials for high-speed connector and interconnect applications in AI, cloud computing, networking, and hyperscale data centers.

• Serve as the company's technical subject matter expert in dielectric materials, signal integrity, and material solutions for high-frequency electronics.

• Develop material platforms with industry-leading dielectric constant (Dk), dissipation factor (Df), dimensional stability, thermal performance, processability, and reliability.

• Identify emerging technology trends and establish roadmaps aligned with industry requirements for 224G, 448G, and next-generation data transmission architectures.

• Expand Avient's intellectual property portfolio through invention disclosures, patents, and new technology platforms.

Materials Development

• Design and optimize thermoplastic formulations based on structure-property-performance relationships.

• Evaluate high-performance polymers, including LCP, PPE, PPS, PEEK, fluoropolymers, polyimides, and other advanced dielectric materials.

• Investigate novel fillers, reinforcements, additives, and processing methods to achieve ultra-low dielectric loss.

• Establish material selection criteria and specifications that meet customer requirements for signal integrity, thermal management, reliability, and manufacturability.

• Use advanced statistical methods, design of experiments (DOE), and data analytics to accelerate formulation optimization.

Characterization & Testing

• Develop and execute advanced methods to characterize electrical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties.

• Correlate molecular structure, morphology, crystallinity, and interfacial interactions with high-frequency dielectric performance.

• Lead testing and analysis using techniques such as:

  • Vector Network Analysis (VNA)
  • Dielectric spectroscopy
  • Time-domain reflectometry (TDR)
  • Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
  • Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)
  • Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
  • Microscopy and surface characterization techniques

• Interpret material- and device-level performance data to guide formulation and design decisions.

Customer & Market Engagement

• Partner with marketing and commercial teams to capture the voice of customers, including connector manufacturers, semiconductor suppliers, hyperscale data center operators, and OEMs, and understand future material requirements.

• Translate emerging computing and networking trends into actionable material innovation opportunities.

• Provide technical leadership in customer interactions and development programs.

• Present technical findings to customers, industry organizations, and executive leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, quality, procurement, and commercial teams to scale technologies from concept through commercialization.

• Support pilot- and production-scale implementation of new material technologies.

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams and external research collaborations with universities, national laboratories, suppliers, and industry consortia.

Education & Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering, Polymer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.

• At least 5 years of industrial or advanced research experience developing materials for electronics, semiconductors, communications, or high-performance computing applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in advanced materials development and commercialization.

• Demonstrated expertise in high-speed connectors, interconnects, semiconductor packaging, RF, microwave, or signal integrity applications.

• Proven record of patents, technical publications, and successful commercialization of new technologies.

• Experience collaborating directly with customers and external technology partners.