Polymer Chemist with Formulation Expertise 80%-100%, Zurich, permanent
ETH Zürich
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Polymer Chemist with Formulation Expertise
80%-100%, Zurich, permanent
print Drucken Join us in shaping the future of materials!
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.
Job description
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.
Profile
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.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
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.
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
- CV
- letter of motivation
- relevant project links
- job references & diplomas
Further information about Treeless AG can be found on our website. For further information, please contact Mr. Adam
Korczak, CEO & cofounder, Treeless AG, or e-mail adam@treeless.tech (no application documents).
80%-100%, Zurich, permanent
print Drucken Join us in shaping the future of materials!
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.
Job description
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.
Profile
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.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
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.
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
- CV
- letter of motivation
- relevant project links
- job references & diplomas
Further information about Treeless AG can be found on our website. For further information, please contact Mr. Adam
Korczak, CEO & cofounder, Treeless AG, or e-mail adam@treeless.tech (no application documents).