Ingénieur(e) physico-chimie - Milieux divisés et polymères en solution (F/H/X)

We are looking for: 

You will join Syensqo 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 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: 

• 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 

• 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: rheology, polymers in solution and at interface.  

• Strong expertise in mechanisms encountered in complex fluids: self-assembly, polymer chain conformation, adsorption & desorption, network formation and percolation, shear-induced structuration, imbibition phenomena in porous media, etc. 

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

• General knowledge of chemical engineering principles.  

• 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 get: 

• 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.