Research Engineer M/F in physical chemistry

Syensqo is all about chemistry. We’re not just referring to chemical reactions here, but also to the magic that occurs when the brightest minds get to work together. This is where our true strength lies. In you. In your future colleagues and in all your differences. And of course, in your ideas to improve lives while preserving our planet’s beauty for the generations to come.

Syensqo is all about chemistry. We are not only talking about chemical reactions, but also about the alchemy that happens when the brightest minds work together. That is where our true strength lies: in you, in your future colleagues, and in all your differences. And, of course, in your ideas, which help improve everyday life while preserving the beauty of our planet for future generations.

We are looking for:

You will join Syensqo’s Advanced Physical Chemistry team, based at the Lyon Research and Innovation Center, one of the Group’s strategic research and innovation hubs. You will work in a multidisciplinary and innovative environment focused on integrating new technologies, including artificial intelligence and high-throughput platforms, to accelerate the development of new products.

The role aims to strengthen the laboratory’s expertise in polymer science in solution, dispersed media, polymer/solid/liquid interfaces, rheology, and surface chemistry, with one central objective: linking structure, processing, and application properties.

The laboratory operates upstream of development and contributes to three strategic growth areas:

• understanding the mode of action of products in customer applications;

• accelerated screening of new molecules, formulations, and polymer architectures;

• developing application tests to assess performance.

Positioned at the interface between polymer chemistry, colloid physical chemistry, interface characterization, and formulation processes, you will contribute to the understanding of complex multiphase systems and dispersed media, from the molecular scale through to product performance.

With a strong physical chemistry approach, you will use a broad range of analytical techniques and conduct targeted, pragmatic, and robust experiments. Your work will help elucidate the mechanisms governing the performance of the systems studied.

You will also play an active role in the digital transformation of Syensqo’s R&I. You will ensure data is structured at the source, maintain the quality and reusability of experimental results, and support the gradual integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation tools into laboratory projects.

Finally, through your scientific expertise and market knowledge, you will contribute to defining the laboratory’s scientific roadmap, strengthening its internal and external visibility, and setting up collaborative projects with academic and industrial partners.

We count on you to:

Bring advanced expertise in the physical chemistry of polymers, polymers in solution, suspensions, colloids, and interfaces in order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the performance of the systems studied.

Design, propose, and carry out innovative experimental programs, from the scientific hypothesis through to laboratory-scale application validation.

Generate high-quality data, structure it in the appropriate data collection systems — ELN, LIMS, databases — and analyze it using digital tools, including Matlab or Python.

Integrate modeling, data analysis, and artificial intelligence approaches whenever these tools can accelerate understanding or product development.

Lead multidisciplinary industrial R&D projects, coordinate the various workstreams, and translate scientific results into actionable recommendations for internal partners.

Lead a project team: manage priorities, plan activities, monitor deliverables, and identify and develop strategic skills.

Identify the intellectual property potential of new technologies and contribute, where appropriate, to patent applications.

Apply good laboratory practices and comply with applicable health and safety rules; supervise laboratory technical staff if necessary.

You can count on us to help you:

Work in a stimulating environment at the interface of many scientific fields and integrating the latest laboratory technologies.

Lead diverse and rewarding projects that make a meaningful contribution to improving society, such as the development of bio-based products with a low carbon impact.

Benefit from training opportunities to support your career development.

Gain exposure to different functions and stakeholders, including business and production teams.

Work within a group where science plays a central role.

Share values of mutual support, respect, and kindness.

You will bring:

A background in chemistry, physical chemistry, or chemical engineering at Master’s level, supplemented by a PhD in one of the following fields: chemistry, physical chemistry, materials science, or a related discipline.

Very strong knowledge in the following areas: solubility, complex fluids — such as dispersed media, microemulsions, emulsions, gels, slurries, etc. — interfacial phenomena, such as interfacial/surface tension, affinities, interphases, etc., rheology, surface chemistry, and formulation.

Very strong knowledge of analytical techniques for physical chemistry, such as QCM-D, SAXS, DLS, zeta potential, LUMiSizer, XPS, IGC, surface tension, etc.

Excellent problem-solving and diagnostic skills.

Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as strong presentation skills.

The ability to propose and integrate new ideas and concepts within projects.

A proactive, collaborative, and entrepreneurial mindset, with a high degree of flexibility and the ability to manage several topics in parallel.

Strong motivation and the ability to learn independently.

You will benefit from:

A competitive salary and benefits package.

16 weeks or more of maternity, paternity, and co-parenting leave, depending on local regulations.

A learning platform available to all employees.

Free language courses, with 24 languages available.

Free wellbeing sessions, covering both physical and psychological wellbeing.

About us:

Syensqo is a science-driven company developing innovative solutions that improve the way we live, work, travel, and enjoy life. Inspired by the scientific conferences initiated by Ernest Solvay in 1911, we bring together brilliant talent constantly pushing the boundaries of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with more than 13,000 employees in 30 countries around the world.

We develop solutions that help deliver safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in housing, food, consumer goods, aircraft, cars, batteries, electronic devices, and healthcare. Our innovation capabilities enable us to support the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that will help advance humanity.

At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity, not uniformity. We value the diversity that every individual brings, and we invite you to consider your future with us regardless of your background, age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, or identity.

We encourage anyone who may need assistance or accommodations to let us know so that we can ensure a tailored application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application process and want to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly. If you are not sure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

About us

• Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
• At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.