Associate/TS&D Scientist

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

 

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. 
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

About You

Dow has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and innovative Associate/TS&D Scientist to join the Packaging and Specialty Plastics TS&D organization in Lake Jackson, Texas. The ideal candidate pairs deep polymer science expertise with hands-on processing experience and a strong new application development mindset. This professional will partner closely with customers and internal teams to identify new applications and growth spaces, define requirements and develop Dow polymer solutions which meet those requirements to enable growth with measurable impact.

What You’ll Do

• Apply polymer fundamentals to design and troubleshoot formulations, understand polymer–ingredient interactions, and optimize conversion processes and end‑use performance across target applications.
• Provide processing expertise in compounding, extrusion, and molding to support scale-up, customer trials, and issue resolution.
• Drive new business development by scouting unmet needs, identifying new applications, assessing attractiveness (technical fit, value hypothesis), and shaping early concepts into validated opportunities and projects.
• Lead structured customer discovery/VOC, translate insights into technical requirements, and build a prioritized opportunity pipeline with clear experiments and success criteria.
• Partner with commercial teams to craft go‑to‑market plans (value propositions, demos, qualification plans, and performance claims) and support launches with compelling technical data.
• Build strong external relationships (key accounts, OEMs, converters, and ecosystem partners), to accelerate trials and qualifications.
• Track and communicate results (trial outcomes, cost/performance deltas, cycle time, adoption milestones) and codify learnings into best practices.
• Representative application spaces: hot‑melt adhesives, consumer goods, roofing membranes, automotive parts, and adjacent categories where polymer design and processing determine performance.

Responsibilities:

• Define, conduct, and lead research efforts using in-depth polymer design, formulation and processing expertise, proactively apply application know-how.
• Consistently apply scientific methods in the planning and execution of experimental plans and problem solving. Formulate hypotheses and develop experimental plans to test hypotheses. Leverage statistical tools and methodology to solve complex problems .
• Provide project leadership to ensure progress is made within agreed timeline.
• Actively participate in the identification of new research/business opportunities through technology scouting, brainstorming, external engagements with key players in the value chain to understand the unmet needs and value.
• Have an in-depth understanding of the patent and journal literature across adjacent areas of technology. Determine and incorporate the competitive landscape in technology mapping. Manages secrecy agreements and joint development agreements to protect Dow technology for specific projects
• Coach and mentor junior level researchers and technologists in the areas of technical and career development.
• Delivers presentations or reports that distill complex ideas into clear results and proposals, communicates appropriately to influence internal and external audiences
• Communicates and appropriately documents work in the form of internal reports/ROC's/presentations, technology manuals, knowledge management resources, external reports, and patents when appropriate

Additional skillsets

• Exceptional organizational and communication abilities – able to manage complex priorities and convey ideas clearly.
• Proven expertise in product and application development, technology promotion and commercialization.
• Project management
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset – anticipates needs and drives results.
• Professional networking capabilities and relationship-building skills – fosters trust and collaboration, builds and maintains strategic connections, with internal teams and external customers and partners.
• Curious and innovative mindset – continuously seeks new insights and opportunities.
• Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work with sense of urgency

Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or relevant military experience at or above a U.S. E5 ranking or Canadian Petty Officer 2nd Class or Sergeant. Degree in Polymer Science, Material Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or science related field required. Master's degree or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience with polymer formulation and processing required. Application knowledge in Adhesives/Consumer and Sporting Goods/Transportation/Infrastructure is preferred.
• A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States.  No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record of Creativity, Innovation, and Project Management
• Problem Solving Skills and Mechanical Aptitude
• Experience in providing technical support to customers
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Cross-functional and/or cross-geography experience

Note: This position requires approximately 25-30% of travel.

Your Skills

• Innovation and technical acumen: Demonstrated ability to generate and apply novel ideas that improve processes, products, or services—assessed through real-world examples

• Communication: The ability to effectively convey ideas, findings, and proposals to an audience.  This may be in structured formats such as presentations or reports, or it may be in conversational settings with internal or external parties.

• Operational Efficiency: The capability to plan and execute projects or work processes with cross-functional teams and resources to achieve maximum productivity towards decisions or milestones in a timely manner.

• Professional Networking: The practice of building and maintaining relationships with colleagues, industry peers, and other professionals to exchange information, support career development, and uncover new opportunities or collaborations.

• Active Listening: The skill of fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said in conversations. It’s essential for understanding customer needs, collaborating with teams, and responding thoughtfully.

Note: Domestic relocation is not available for this role.

Benefits – What Dow offers you 

We invest in you. 
 

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.  

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee: 

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives. 
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it. 
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals. 
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building. 
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs. 
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).  
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.  
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation. 
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.

Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.