2026 PhD Graduate - Postdoctoral Researcher - Printable Polymers

Are you interested in developing polymer materials that can be reliably processed into functional components to solve our nation's hardest challenges?

Are you motivated to translate bio-derived or recycled polymers into scalable, high-performance manufacturing solutions?

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Sustainable Printable Polymers to develop next-generation polymer feedstocks and processing strategies for additive manufacturing and replacement of legacy, supply chain constrained materials. This role focuses on converting bio-derived and recycled polymers into printable materials and structural, adhesive, and thermal components, while leveraging design strategies that improve performance for national security applications. You will work at the interface of polymer science, materials engineering, and advanced manufacturing to help bridge the gap between material development and manufacturing implementation.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will...

1. Develop and optimize bio-manufactured polymer feedstock formulations for 3D printing.

• • Formulate and refine thermoplastic and composite polymers for extrusion-based additive manufacturing for engineering applications.
  • Tailor rheological and thermal properties to ensure consistent printability and dimensional stability.
  • Design and execute processing workflows to produce repeatable, high-quality feedstocks from varied starting material

1. Create and characterize multifunctional polymer composites, including replacement of legacy or supply-constrained materials.

• • Develop polymer composites with targeted properties using fillers, reinforcements, or bio-derived constituents.
  • Identify and demonstrate alternatives to legacy or supply-limited materials, balancing performance and manufacturability.

1. Develop novel design strategies for maximizing material and component performance.

• • Design material architectures and print strategies to enhance performance beyond bulk material limits.
  • Explore process-structure-property relationship, linking additive manufacturing parameters with material behavior to optimize part performance.

You meet our minimum qualifications if you...

• Have a PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Have experience in polymer materials, including formulation, processing, or characterization.
• Have familiarity with additive manufacturing techniques, particularly extrusion-based methods.
• Have experience with bio-derived polymers, sustainable materials, or recycled feedstocks
• Are able to obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond if you...

• Have developed custom printing approaches informed by engineering requirements
• Have experience with polymer binders, energetic materials, or materials for austere and distributed manufacturing environments.
• Have experience translating materials from lab-scale development to manufacturing processes.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.