The Role
Research & Development (PhD) 2025-2026 Campus Graduate
PPG Industries Pittsburgh PA At PPG, innovation is not just a process, but the core of everything we do. As a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials, we are continually pushing the boundaries of technology to create breakthrough solutions that transform the market and improve everyday life. Are you a recent Ph.D. graduate ready to dive into an engaging, opportunity-rich environment? If so, we invite you to begin your fulfilling industrial career at PPG. Here, your contributions go beyond the lab, translating into tangible innovations that redefine the marketplace. Our Core R&D facility located in Allison Park serves as the cradle of creativity where scientific theories turn into commercialized products. Embark on a journey where your passion meets our innovation. Begin your extraordinary career with PPG today! PPG is a paints, coatings, and specialty materials leader serving a number of diverse customer markets such as construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets, and aftermarkets. PPG operates and innovates in more than 75 countries around the globe. Our emphasis is on the development of breakthrough products and processes, investment in state-of-art manufacturing facilities, and profitable global expansion into adjacent and new markets; while continuing to provide customers with the best services and products of the highest quality. Research and Development activities exist in, but are not limited to, the following areas:
- Polymer synthesis and formulation of both organic and inorganic materials for coatings applications and beyond.
- Analytical testing of developmental materials and commercial products, including customer and regulatory-related work.
- Design and development for future trends in the application of liquid, powder and solid coatings. Including automation, robotics and sensing ‘smart’ systems.
- Corrosion science, surface chemistry, and electrochemistry.
- New products/technologies aligned with mega-trends for circular economy, electrification and sustainable energy trends
- Development of high performance adhesives, sealants, and thermal management solutions.
- Interfacial and Materials Science including surface characterizations.
- Materials science, including the ability to synthesize, formulate, and engineer specialty coatings and materials for use in high-yield, customer-centric manufacturing processes.
- Solve problems through the application of knowledge of appropriate scientific, experimental, and statistical methods.
- Initiate and champion major projects, as well as conceive and develop theories through application of advanced specialized scientific knowledge.
- Planning, directing, coordinating, and conducting the experimental work vital to meet project goals and objectives in developing new products for the marketplace.
- Providing technical support for a commercialized product in a timely and efficient manner.
- Effectively communicating science and technological features to global partners.
- A Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, etc.
- Ability to search and interpret literature as well as be cognizant of competitor technology and intellectual property.
- Proven track record of leading job specific aspects of multiple projects and project teams, including directly supervising work of other associates, is also necessary.
- Industrial experience in a scientific field is a plus.
About us:
Here at PPG we make it happen, and we seek candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our values, with the commitment and drive to strive today to do better than yesterday – everyday.
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™
Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company.. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @ PPG on Twitter.
The PPG Way
Every single day at PPG:
We partner with customers to create mutual value.
We are insightful, dedicated and proactive. We have intimate knowledge of the market and our customers. We focus on practical solutions that make a difference.
We are “One PPG” to the world.
We are better and stronger together. We leverage our scale to reach new markets and introduce innovative technologies as we differentiate and disrupt our markets.
We trust our people every day, in every way.
We enable and empower our people to make the right decisions. We are inclusive, transparent and respectful. Our feedback is clear and actionable.
We make it happen.
We have a passion for winning. We achieve. We deliver with discipline and integrity. We bring our best energy to our work. We decide and act intelligently and quickly.
We run it like we own it.
We respect one another by being responsible and accountable. We always act in the best interest of our company, customers, shareholders and our communities.
We do better today than yesterday – everyday.
We continuously learn. We develop our people to grow our businesses.
PPG Way: (Click here to learn more about the PPG Way)
We are One PPG: http://one.ppg.com/
PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email [email protected].
PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.
Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.
Pay Transparency poster: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_ English_formattedESQA508c.pdf
EEO is the Law: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
EEO is the Law Supplement: http://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/eeoc_gina_supplement.pdf
PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.
Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
PPG Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about PPG and has not been reviewed or approved by PPG.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching, a Retirement Savings Plan, and mentions of pension structures are part of the package. Feedback suggests these programs strengthen long-term financial security and add meaningful value to total compensation.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid holidays, sick days, vacation, and volunteer time off are provided alongside parental leave and adoption assistance. Feedback suggests the breadth of leave options supports work-life needs across different life stages.
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Flexible Benefits — A wide menu includes medical/dental/vision, FSAs/HSAs with company seed contributions for HDHP enrollees, an EAP, and numerous voluntary options such as accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal, and pet insurance. Feedback suggests the variety and optionality help employees tailor coverage to their circumstances.
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The Company
What We Do
PPG: We protect and beautify the world.® At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $18.2 billion in 2023. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X and @PPGIndustries on Facebook, Instagram and Threads
