Formulations/Coatings Scientist

Bolt Threads is a material solutions company. Taking nature as our inspiration, we invent and scale cutting-edge materials that put us on a path towards a more sustainable future – and that starts now.

We’re Looking For...

Bolt Threads is looking for an experienced formulation/coatings scientist to support the development of novel material using Bolt’s unique biomaterials. The ideal candidate will have strong technical fundamentals, practical experience in the design and execution of experiments, as well as a thorough knowledge of chemistries involved in formulating a polymer and fiber-based composite. This position will play a key role in a multidisciplinary research team working to develop MyloTM, a mycelium-based textile alternative to leather.

You’ll be Excited to Come to Work Because…

The Experience

• You’ll have the ability to make a significant, positive impact on a team, a company, and the world.
• You’ll define direction of input chemistries and interact with several team in product development and Corporate Responsibility
• You’ll get honest feedback that’s given in the service of helping us get better at what we do.
• You’ll encounter unique (often ambiguous) challenges, and diverse teams working to solve them
• You’ll find innovative approaches to science, technology, and culture. 

Within the first 30 days, you will…

• Learn established standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for flexible mycelium-based materials fabrication and characterization.
• Understand the role of each chemistry in the formulation
• Investigate root causes of chemistry incompatibilities
• Design and execute experiments to demonstrate role of chemistry, interaction between two or more components
• Capture and analyze experimental data using the corporate LIMS system.
• Present the research results and conclusions to the project team meetings.
• Engage with EHS to perform job hazard assessment (JHA) for new processes and chemistry evaluation chemistries.

Within the First 60 Days, You Will…

• Scout for chemistries for soft goods and hard good formulations
• Identify compatibility ranges for current chemistries in the formulation
• Work with Assay development team to identify assays to demonstrate compatibility of chemistries in formulation
• Consult with Corporate Responsibility team to integrate new chemistries
• Communicate the impact of chemistries on formulation with clear data to the relevant teams 
• Analyze and interpret the results from the material laboratory instruments (e.g. mechanical, thermal and spectroscopic).
• Author SOPs and technical reports for several stakeholders.
• Present results and conclusions to stakeholders across several functional areas.
• Start building out ideal chemistries/conditions for mycelial fibers networks for different product classes

Within the First 90 days, You Will..

• Build out an assessment matrix for new chemicals, new lots in the baseline 
• Be the point person for addressing any computability related questions within research, PD and manufacturing teams

This Team will be Excited to Have You Because You Bring…

• Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer or environmental Chemistry, Coatings, Composites engineering, Biomaterials)
• 3 years of industrial and/or research experience in formulating polymer composites, coatings, textile functionalization and/or skin care formulations
• Up to date knowledge of the relevant literature regarding biomaterial sciences including natural and synthetic resin systems.
• Expertise in polymer processing, rheology, viscoelastic properties, and composition.
• Knowledge of chemical modifications of polymeric materials, particles and/or fibers to establish structure-property-processability relationships.
• Material mechanical and thermal (e.g. DMA, TGA, DSC) characterization experience.
• Understanding of role and impact of different components in formulation and how to modify it to get desirable properties
• Good organization skills, time management, written and oral communication skills 

Experience and Skill in the Following are Considered a Plus for the Role

• Understanding of dispersion science with experience in particles, colloids, emulsions, or the like 
• Knowledge of surface interaction chemistry and surface energy measurements 
• Knowledge of pilot scale equipment and processing 
• Ability to create and execute DOE 
• Knowledge of a programing language (e.g., Python, JMP, statistical analysis tools) 
• Experience mentoring young scientists

About Bolt Threads

We are a team that is dedicated to bringing sustainability to the materials that touch our lives. Our team is creative, inclusive, and multidisciplinary. We embrace curious minds that are resilient and can adapt in a rapidly evolving environment. 

We provide each person with opportunities to learn and develop essential skills they will use throughout their careers. Each person can make an impact and add their unique footprint to the company’s journey.

We’re working on something big - innovating way better materials for a way better world is not easy to do. It is our collaborative and iterative approach to how we work that enables us to take on some pretty big challenges. 

We don’t mind the hard work, in fact, we expect it to be, keeping it in balance with a supportive community and shared laughter along the way.

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