PhD Chemical Engineering (Université Laval, defended April 2025) focused on polymer processing and crosslinked polyolefins; hands-on with rheology, DMA, DSC, TGA, and extrusion-based methods (rotomolding, compounding); 13 publications on crosslinked HDPE/PP processing and recycling; now postdoc at University of Calgary / CarboMat Inc. in polymer/composite processing
Hireability: HIGH — freshly defended PhD (April 2025), posted 'looking forward to the next chapter', early postdoc at startup is a bridge role indicating active industry interest
Now NRC Postdoc at NIST Polymers Processing Group doing flow metrology and polymer characterization
Direct AM relevance via 2024 PNAS paper on direct-ink-write bottlebrush copolymers
Strong fit for rheology-of-polymer-systems role with processing context
Hireability: HIGH — started NRC postdoc 2024, now ~2 years in (typical 2-year fellowship), plus prior 2-year international postdoc (2022-2024 Germany); ~4 years of back-to-back postdocs is a prime industry transition window
NA
Nima Alizadeh
high hireability
PhD Polymer & Fiber Engineering (Auburn)
Hands-on DMA, DSC, TGA, rheology, and extrusion/injection molding experience across PhD research (IPN characterization), MS thesis (tunable rheology DIW inks), and Saint-Gobain (extrusion, ASTM thermal/mechanical testing)
Additive manufacturing (FDM, DLP, DIW) and processing-structure-property work directly match this role
Hireability: HIGH — left Saint-Gobain July 2024, now freelance consulting; personal website explicitly states actively seeking opportunities
PR
Paul Roberts
high hireability
PhD Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Johns Hopkins 2022), NRC-NIST Postdoctoral Fellow in the Polymers Processing Group
Published hands-on polymer rheology work: rheological hysteresis in polypropylene crystallization and epoxy conversion modeling via rheological properties
NIST profile explicitly lists additive manufacturing as a research focus — strong alignment with the role's AM + extrusion + polymer rheology requirements
Hireability: HIGH — ~3.5 years into postdoc (started Dec 2022), squarely in the prime industry transition window
AX
Aishuang Xiang
medium hireability
PhD polymer scientist at SABIC (Greater Evansville area) combining polymer characterization, process engineering, and product development — directly aligned with role requirements (rheological characterization, extrusion-based processes, formulation-performance relationships)
PhD from Lehigh University in polymer science; SABIC/LNP role covers specialty thermoplastic compounding with exactly the processing-structure-property work this role demands
Hireability: MEDIUM — SABIC sold its LNP specialty compounds business to ENVALIOR/Lanxess in 2023, indicating corporate restructuring that often prompts career reassessment; LinkedIn URL slug 'phd-polymer-scientist' suggests broad market positioning rather than role-specific identity
AN
Amar Nilajkar
medium hireability
23+ years polymer processing and product development at Foster Corporation (polymer compounder, Putnam CT)
UMass Lowell MS
ANTEC conference presenter on nanocomposites, medical polymers, flame retardant PEBAX — solid polymer formulation and processing background directly matching rheology/extrusion role
Application Development Manager role = connects material behavior to processing and product performance, precisely what the JD demands
Hireability: MEDIUM — long tenure at Foster Corp suggests entrenchment, but senior IC/manager at a specialized compounder with no visible 'open to work' signals; within plausible transition window at this career stage
AG
Ananya Ghosh
medium hireability
MS in Polymer/Plastics Engineering (UMass Lowell); ~8+ years in polymer industry — Application Development Engineer and R&D Engineer roles at Foster Corp, GEON, and Avient covering polymer formulation, material characterization, and 3D printing/thermoplastic processing
Application dev roles at polymer compounders typically involve rheological characterization; raw_data confirms material characterization and 3D printing at Foster Corp
Preferred AM/extrusion experience likely present
Hireability: MEDIUM — LinkedIn shows most recent role as Channel Sales Manager (technical-to-sales transition is a concern), but also lists Senior Application Development Engineer as concurrent/recent; no open-to-work signals detected. Career pivot toward sales may reduce receptiveness to technical IC roles
AN
Atilio Minotto Neto
medium hireability
PhD Materials Science & Engineering; built PolyWeight, an open-source analytical rheology tool for polymer MWD determination from dynamic moduli and relaxation spectra — directly relevant to characterizing polymer melt behavior
Strong theoretical polymer rheology foundation
No explicit evidence of hands-on extrusion, DMA/DSC/TGA, or processing experiment design, but the tool demonstrates deep understanding of rheological models (GAR/GEX)
Hireability: MEDIUM — no current employer listed on GitHub, modest public presence (2 repos, 0 followers), suggesting possible transition or independent work; no entrenchment signals
BC
Brian M. Cromer
medium hireability
PhD Polymer Science & Engineering (UMass 2016) with deep process-structure-property expertise; Senior Research Scientist at Arkema (King of Prussia)
Presented on reactive extrusion of PHAs at UMass CUMIRP Oct 2025 — directly relevant to extrusion-based processing
Polyolefin nanocomposite, melt mastication, and thermoplastic processing background maps well to rheology + extrusion requirements. 3-year Bostik France expat (R&D leadership) recently completed
Hireability: MEDIUM — recently returned from multi-year international assignment (career inflection point), ~9 years Arkema tenure, no explicit open-to-work signals
CM
Chris McCarthy
medium hireability
MS Polymer/Plastics Engineering from UMass Lowell; Materials Scientist at Formlabs with hands-on resin rheology experience in a major AM company
Formlabs is SLA/resin-based so extrusion/melt-specific skills are uncertain, but required quals (polymer MS + rheological characterization of resins) are directly met
Hireability: MEDIUM — estimated ~3-4 years at Formlabs since ~2021 graduation, within typical transition window; no explicit open-to-work signal found
CM
Chris McGrady
medium hireability
R&D Leader at Celanese (engineering thermoplastics/polymer materials) with direct rheology expertise: non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, viscoelastic property measurement, constitutive equations for polymer structural relationships, polymer processing of branched thermoplastic resins
MS Chemical Engineering (Virginia Tech). 14 patents (2014-2024) in polymer compositions and cellulose esters; 5 peer-reviewed publications in rheology and polymer engineering
Additive manufacturing-adjacent via Celanese's engineered materials for AM
Hireability: MEDIUM — experienced R&D Leader at a large corp (Celanese); no open-to-work signals; Florence KY location is a positive. Senior enough to lead the rheology function described in the JD
CH
Christopher J. Hershey
medium hireability
PhD Chemical Engineering (Michigan State) specializing in nonlinear rheology of thermoplastics, thermosets, composites, and foams — direct match to the role
R&D Staff at ORNL Manufacturing Science Division working on large-scale thermoset AM; published on reactive thermoset printing viscosity/cure shrinkage/processing windows (exactly what this role requires). 2 patents, Federal Lab Consortium National Award
Hireability: MEDIUM — ~6 years as R&D Staff at ORNL (postdoc 2018–2020, staff 2020–present), no explicit open-to-work signals found, but national lab → industry AM is a natural career transition for an applied experimentalist at this stage
FK
Fahimeh Khakzad
medium hireability
PhD polymer science (IPPI), with explicitly listed hands-on skills in rheology, DMA, DSC, TGA, extrusion, and polymer blending
Currently Senior Scientist at Lubrizol Advanced Materials — a leading specialty polymer company, directly relevant to the role. 2024 paper on PA/PE blend compatibilization demonstrates active polymer processing and formulation work
Hireability: MEDIUM — tenure at Lubrizol uncertain (~1-2 years estimated based on recent postdoc at UH), no open-to-work signals detected, but profile is actively maintained
GJ
Garry Ware Jr
medium hireability
Capillary rheology and melt flow analysis at Solvay (specialty polymer manufacturer) — directly on-point for polymer melt characterization
MS-level graduate work at U
Dayton (thesis at AFRL Hybrids & Composites Branch, 2007-2009)
Currently Material & Process Engineer Team Lead at Paragon Space Dev
Corp
No direct evidence of AM/extrusion or TMA (DMA/DSC) experience, but core rheology skillset matches the required qualifications
Hireability: MEDIUM — left Solvay for Paragon (shows mobility), but no open-to-work signals and current Paragon tenure unknown
HM
Harsh Modi
medium hireability
10+ years polymer formulation and processing: Teknor Apex compounder (rheology-critical extrusion work) → Apple polymer product dev → Tesla Staff Materials Engineer (Soft Goods & Polymer)
MS Plastics & Polymer Engineering, UMass Lowell
SPE ANTEC 2014 paper on melt processibility; master's thesis on LLDPE filler systems
Deep extrusion/compounding background at Teknor Apex directly maps to rheological characterization of polymer melts for AM/extrusion
Hireability: MEDIUM — recently promoted to Staff at Tesla, no open-to-work signals, but ~3-4 years tenure and active professional networking (SPE board Aug 2025, ACS reviewer Jul 2025) put him in a typical transition window
IQ
Isabel Qamar
medium hireability
PhD in Self-Healing Materials (Bristol) + SLS Tech Lead at Formlabs where she formulated Nylon 12 White powder and drove full scale-up from lab to high-volume manufacturing — strong polymer AM and formulation background
Also did thermoset 3D printing (FROMP) at UIUC
No explicit rheometry/DMA/DSC experience surfaced but SLS powder work almost certainly involves thermal characterization
Currently at WHOOP as Senior ME (sensors), a lateral move away from polymer processing; dates unclear from scraper
Hireability: MEDIUM — has changed roles multiple times and her current WHOOP role diverges from polymer/AM core, making her potentially recruitable back into a polymer processing role
JK
Jamie Klett
medium hireability
MS Materials Science & Engineering (UW-Madison), with hands-on polymer composite research for 3D printing (20% strength increase, 2 journal publications) and TA for polymer processing lab
Co-founded KXTechnologies researching advanced polymer materials for PCB laminates
Currently Sr
Materials Engineer at SpaceX with materials characterization background — highly relevant to rheological characterization of polymer systems in a processing/AM context
No explicit rheometry or DMA/DSC/TGA mentioned, but polymer processing research and characterization role at SpaceX strongly imply thermal/mechanical analysis experience
Hireability: MEDIUM — no tenure dates available; career shows mobility (Tesla → SpaceX), within likely transition window, no open-to-work signals detected
JP
Jarrod Pellissier
medium hireability
PEEK and Torlon R&D at Solvay (3 patents) — high-performance thermoplastic processing directly maps to this role's polymer melt rheology and extrusion characterization needs
MS Chemistry Georgia Tech
Senior Chemical Process Engineer at Ellsworth Adhesives post-Solvay
PEEK/Torlon R&D almost certainly involved melt rheometry, DSC/TGA, and extrusion-based methods
Hireability: MEDIUM — moved from Solvay to Ellsworth Adhesives likely following Solvay's 2023 corporate restructuring/split; career trajectory away from core polymer R&D specialty may signal openness to a more aligned role
JF
Jill Ferguson
medium hireability
7 years developing FDM model materials and soluble supports (AquaSys) at Stratasys, including as Sr
Manager of Quality & Characterization
Currently VP of Operations & Quality and Executive Director at Interfacial (Nagase), running their EMPOWR3D AM Center of Excellence and specialty compounding operations
PhD Analytical Chemistry (Iowa State)
Hands-on polymer materials and characterization background directly relevant to rheology, extrusion-based AM, and processing-structure-property work
Hireability: MEDIUM — currently in VP/Executive Director leadership roles at an active company; the consulting designation suggests possible openness, but seniority level may be a mismatch for an individual contributor bench role
JM
Johannes Moeller
medium hireability
PhD in Plastics & Polymer Engineering (UMass Lowell) + MS from Darmstadt; hands-on thermomechanical analysis (DMA, FTIR, thermal/thermo-mech at Apple), DoE on pressure-sensitive adhesives and thermoplastic substrates at Tesla, graduate composites/thermoforming research (ACMTRL)
Hireability: MEDIUM — Staff-level Tesla employee with no explicit open-to-work signals; dual Berlin/Bay Area listing suggests potential mobility or relocation, within plausible transition window
KJ
Kartik Joshi
medium hireability
R&D Extrusion Engineer at Foster Corp (specialty polymer compounds for medical devices), now Staff Engineer R&D at Stryker
M.S
Plastics Engineering (UMass Lowell)
Polymer processing background directly relevant to extrusion-based AM and formulation work; no explicit evidence of rheological characterization (DMA/DSC/rheometry) in profile, but extrusion R&D role makes hands-on characterization highly plausible
Hireability: MEDIUM — recently transitioned to Stryker (large medtech company), no tenure dates available, but MS-level polymer engineer in relevant field within typical transition window
MC
Mark Cieslinski
medium hireability
PhD Chemical Engineering (Virginia Tech) with dissertation on rheology of long fiber reinforced polymers
Senior Scientist at BASF with hands-on twin screw extrusion (PA, PBT, TPU compounding lines) and composites processing experience
Published work on sliding plate rheometry and fiber suspension rheology directly relevant to this role's requirements
SPE YP Extrusion Division board member
Hireability: MEDIUM — Long tenure at BASF (progressed to Senior Scientist), no open-to-work signals, but active SPE leadership engagement suggests ongoing professional networking and career openness
MP
Mark Pepels
medium hireability
PhD (2015, TU/e) in polymer chemistry with 10+ years industry experience in polymer materials for AM
Currently Material Expert at Stratasys working on SAF process PA12 powders; previously Research Scientist at DSM Materials Science Center
Strong polymer materials background (h-index 14, 1350+ citations) and multiple patents on additive fabrication powder compositions
SAF is powder-bed, not extrusion-based AM, and published work is polymer synthesis-focused rather than explicit rheology characterization — unclear how much hands-on melt rheology/DMA/DSC bench work he does vs. formulation
However, polymer materials expert at an AM company almost certainly characterizes melt flow
Hireability: MEDIUM-HIGH — Stratasys has faced significant financial pressure (revenue -19% in 2024, multiple failed M&A attempts) raising likelihood of openness; Netherlands location may be a consideration for a US-based role
MP
Michelle Pomatto
medium hireability
PhD Polymer Science, Virginia Tech (Moore lab)
Specialized in crystallization kinetics of semicrystalline polymers (iPP, PEKK) using fast scanning calorimetry — directly relevant thermomechanical analysis experience
Published 2024 paper on iPP crystallization during powder bed fusion (Additive Manufacturing journal) and presented at APS 2024 on semicrystalline polymer blends for extrusion-based AM
Strong match for rheology + extrusion-based AM role
Hireability: MEDIUM — recently graduated PhD (~2024), now Associate Polymer Scientist at Carlisle Construction Materials (roofing TPO), likely ~6-12 months in role. Role may be misaligned with her AM research focus, creating opening
MM
Mo Meysami
medium hireability
PhD polymer scientist at BASF Performance Materials (Florham Park, NJ) with explicit expertise in rheology, polymer processing, and rubber formulation — directly aligned with the role's core requirements for hands-on polymer rheology and processing-structure-property work in an industry context
BASF Performance Materials focus on sustainable/recycled polymers and formulation strongly maps to the additive manufacturing polymer processing context
Hireability: MEDIUM — Scientist at a large company with no explicit open-to-work signals; career stage and unknown tenure suggest moderate transition probability
MS
Mo Sabzi
medium hireability
PhD in Polymer Engineering (IPPI); Google Scholar profile explicitly lists 'structure/property/processing relations, rheology, and plastics nanocomposites' as research focus
Published work on rheological characterization of polymer composites (h-index 30, 3,430 citations)
Industry experience at Covestro (Product Development Specialist) and Eastman (Sheet Process Development Engineer — extrusion-adjacent)
Strong match for this polymer rheologist role requiring processing-structure-property expertise
Hireability: MEDIUM — no explicit open-to-work signals; career shows high mobility (academia UM/NDSU → Eastman → Covestro); Covestro recently acquired by ADNOC (late 2024) which may trigger restructuring
NS
Neda Sanatkaran-Taylor
medium hireability
PhD Chemical Engineering (Cape Peninsula Univ.) with certified Practical Rheology background and rheology of dispersions experience
Currently Senior R&D Scientist II at Covestro (major polyurethane/polycarbonate polymer company) and concurrent NSF PI at Nistron LLC (3D polymer-based scaffolding — additive manufacturing context)
Prior industry role as Senior Chemical Engineer at MonoSol/Kuraray (polymer films)
Academic ties at CMU Center of Complex Fluids and NMSU Soft Matter Research Group — directly relevant processing-structure-property and soft-matter rheology background
Strong match for polymer rheology + AM processing role
Hireability: MEDIUM — multiple concurrent industry and academic roles listed as Present on LinkedIn with no start dates; no open-to-work signals or job change announcements found
PB
Paul Boothe
medium hireability
PhD polymer chemist (USC, 2003) with 19 years industrial R&D at Arkema, currently R&D Manager Emerging Technology — directly managing PEKK/AM polymer development at the leading industrial supplier for filament-based AM. 10 patents in resin/polymer formulations
Deep polymer processing and formulation expertise with strong likelihood of hands-on rheological characterization experience given the domain
Seniority risk: managing-level hire may want to step back to IC experimentalist role
Hireability: MEDIUM — no open-to-work signals, no recent job-change evidence; senior industrial R&D manager at stable large company, but 2-4 year transition window possible
PM
Paul Mercando
medium hireability
PhD Chemist (Penn State) at Evonik as Applications Development Research Scientist on INFINAM PA12 AM polymers — role implies hands-on rheological and thermomechanical characterization (melt viscosity, DSC, processing windows) in an industrial AM context
Industry AM polymer experience is a strong fit
No direct publication evidence of rheology-specific work; Semantic Scholar papers are consumer product chemistry (floor polish, enzyme encapsulation)
Primary AM context appears SLS/powder-based, but Evonik INFINAM also covers FFF filament
Moderate-strong relevance overall
Hireability: MEDIUM — established industry R&D position at large corp, no open-to-work signals found, tenure unknown
PM
Philippe Martin
medium hireability
PhD in Polymer Processing from UCLouvain, expert melt processing role at Solvay/Syensqo (Belgium), prior research engineer in polymer rheology at Polytechnique Montreal
Publications on rheological characterization of polymer melts (PBT blends, reactive compatibilization)
Strong match for polymer rheology, melt processing, and extrusion-based characterization requirements
Industry experience with specialty polymers directly relevant to the role
Hireability: MEDIUM — senior expert at Syensqo (spun off from Solvay Dec 2023); corporate restructuring may create transition window, but no explicit open-to-work signals found. Based in Belgium, role is likely US-based — location mismatch warrants flagging
PB
Prashant Bhadane
medium hireability
PhD (Polytechnique Montréal) in polymer science with deep expertise in thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), reactive polymer blending, and dynamic vulcanization — directly maps to the structure-property relationship and polymer processing focus of the role
Career at ExxonMobil Chemical and Celanese (major polymer processors) provides strong industrial context for extrusion and formulation work
Now at Chemyork INC
(Houston) as Senior Product Engineer — a notable step down from Senior Director, suggesting recent career transition and openness to new roles
Hireability: MEDIUM — recently changed jobs (Celanese → Chemyork), indicating mobility, but may have just started and could be settling in; seniority may be slightly above a hands-on individual contributor role but the autonomous, bench-level scope described fits a senior experimentalist profile
RC
Ryan Clarke
medium hireability
PhD Materials Chemistry (CSU) and Senior R&D Scientist at Hexion Inc
(specialty resins/polymers), with postdoc at NREL on sustainable polymer systems
Published work spans thermoset characterization (thermomechanical activation of tri-block copolymers, elastomeric vitrimers, recyclable thermosets) with strong processing-structure-property orientation — directly relevant to the DMA/DSC/rheology focus of this role
Published in Nature, Science, JACS
Hexion industry context means hands-on polymer formulation/characterization
No explicit rheology publications, but the thermoset/elastomer work strongly implies thermomechanical testing experience (DMA, DSC)
Hireability: MEDIUM — established as Senior R&D Scientist at Hexion with no start dates captured, no open-to-work signals, but 2–5 year tenure range likely puts him in the transition window
SM
Shruba Manna
medium hireability
MS Plastics/Polymer Engineering from UMass Lowell (2018); Senior Application Development Engineer at Foster Corporation (biomedical polymer compounding)
Self-describes as 'interested in processing-structure-property relationships' — exact language from the JD
Presented on Biomedical Polymer Compounding at Plastec Minneapolis
Coursework includes Advanced Plastics Processing, Characterization of Polymers, and Mechanical Behaviour of Polymers
Specific rheology/DMA/DSC/TGA experience not explicitly confirmed in public profile but role context at a polymer compounding company strongly implies it
No AM/extrusion experience confirmed
Hireability: MEDIUM — ~7 years post-MS in industry, Senior title, no open-to-work signals found; within plausible transition window
SK
Sonal Karkhanis
medium hireability
PhD in Plastics from Michigan State (2020, 4.0 GPA) with 6+ peer-reviewed publications on polymer melt processing: blown film extrusion of PLA, chain extension, compounding, microcellular foaming — directly relevant to rheological characterization of polymer systems and extrusion-based processing
Published in Polymer Engineering & Science
Currently Materials Engineer at Tesla (4+ years post-PhD, Canada)
Hireability: MEDIUM — ~5 years post-PhD and 4+ years at Tesla, within typical transition window but no explicit open-to-work signals found
TK
Teresita Kashyap
medium hireability
PhD in Rheology (IIT, dissertation on equibiaxial elongational flow in polymer melts)
Led Dow's Rheology & Thermal Characterization R&D lab as Rheology SME — characterized polyethylene structure-property relationships, ran DSC/TGA/TMA
Additional formulation experience at Dow Elastomers (EPDM), Celanese (POM/TPE/LCP automotive grades), and SABIC (PC/PBT/PET blends)
Currently Product Developer at ExxonMobil (Baytown, TX)
Hireability: MEDIUM — strong career progression through major petrochemical/polymer companies with ~2-4 year tenure patterns; currently at ExxonMobil with no visible open-to-work signals, but within typical industry transition window
VK
Vahid Karimkhani
medium hireability
PhD polymer scientist (Amirkabir Univ of Technology, 2014) currently titled 'Senior Scientist II - Rheology Expert' at Covestro in Pittsburgh
Core expertise in rheological characterization of polymer melts, long-chain branched polyethylenes, and nanocomposites with explicit process-structure-property-performance focus — directly matches the role's rheology and polymer processing requirements. h-index 14, ~696 citations
No published evidence of AM or extrusion-specific methods, but industry role at a major polymer company likely covers processing-context work
Hireability: MEDIUM — Covestro acquisition by ADNOC completed Dec 2025; post-M&A reorganizations commonly create openings in the 6-12 months post-close; ~10 years post-PhD and 500+ LinkedIn connections suggest active professional engagement; no explicit open-to-work signal
VB
Victor Boudara
medium hireability
Top contributor to RepTate (1,076 commits), the leading polymer rheology analysis toolkit
PhD from U
Leeds (2017) focused on supramolecular and entangled polymer rheological models; published in J
Rheology on nonlinear rheology of polydisperse entangled polymers and supramolecular systems
Background is primarily theoretical/computational rheology rather than hands-on experimental characterization — role requires DMA/DSC/TGA and extrusion process experience which are unconfirmed
Strong domain foundation
Hireability: MEDIUM — 8+ years post-PhD, no current company listed, GitHub inactive since Sept 2022; career stage and dormant activity suggest possible openness to transition
WW
Weston Wood
medium hireability
12-year ENTEK polymer scientist (PhD Mechanical Engineering, WSU) with hands-on twin-screw extrusion, DMA/DSC/TGA, and processing→structure→property work on polyethylene and polyetherimide composites
Progressed to Technical Director of Li Separator Development; familiar with microporous film extrusion and ceramic/polymer coating processes
Not explicitly rheology-focused (composites and membrane work vs. rheometry), and AM experience is inferred not confirmed
Hireability: MEDIUM-HIGH — raw_data flags him as 'ex-ENTEK' after 12-year tenure ending 2025; no new employer identified, likely in active transition
AL
Anne Lemon
low hireability
Lead Scientist at SABIC T&I Product Development focusing on LNP compounds and NORYL engineering thermoplastics — polymer characterization (rheology, thermomechanical analysis) is central to this work for these precision-engineered materials
PhD from University of Arizona (~2012), 10+ years in industrial polymer R&D
No direct evidence of extrusion-based AM experience but strong polymer characterization background
Hireability: LOW — entrenched Lead Scientist at SABIC with 10+ years tenure and no visible job-seeking signals
AK
Anthony Kotula
low hireability
NIST project leader for Polymer Advanced Manufacturing and Rheology; PhD ChE Carnegie Mellon
Expert in melt rheology, flow-induced crystallization in extrusion-based AM, rheo-Raman instrument development, and crystallizing polymer characterization — direct match to this role's core requirements
Hireability: LOW — ~10 years as NIST staff scientist (2016–present), stable federal government position with senior project-leader status; no job-seeking signals detected from web sources
A(
Anthony Kotula (batch1)
low hireability
PhD ChemE (CMU), Staff Scientist and Project Leader for NIST Polymer AM and Rheology program since 2016
Rheo-Raman expert with 29+ publications spanning polymer melt rheology, flow-induced crystallization, material extrusion AM processing conditions, and epoxy cure kinetics — textbook match for the role
Hireability: LOW — ~9 years as staff scientist at NIST (federal position), recently awarded 2023 William P. Slichter Award and ACS PMSE Early Stage Investigator; highly established and no transition signals found
CC
Camilo Cano
low hireability
PhD Univ. of Akron (polymer processing); Sr
Manager at Celanese leading global polymer processing/ideation team; lists 'Molecular Rheology' and 'Rheology of Multiphase Systems' as skills; co-authored ANTEC 2017 paper on novel PEEK with high flowability confirming hands-on melt rheology work at Celanese; ~20 years building polymer application expertise in engineering thermoplastics and TPE (Neolast)
Main concern: Sr
Manager role may mean limited bench time — worth probing depth of hands-on vs. oversight work
Hireability: LOW — long stable tenure at Celanese (~20 years), no public signals of seeking new role, senior management position with 2K+ LinkedIn followers
EG
Eddie Geng
low hireability
20+ years polymer industry experience at SABIC LNP (current: Staff Scientist, formulation & compounding for large format additive manufacturing) and PolyOne (reactive extrusion, specialty engineered materials)
PhD Polymer Materials from U
Kentucky
Direct overlap with role's preferred qualifications: large format AM, extrusion-based processing, and polymer formulation/compounding
Core rheology characterization expertise not explicitly confirmed, but likely embedded in senior formulation work
Hireability: LOW — long-standing SABIC employee across two divisions (Pittsfield PPDC then Exton LNP), no open-to-work or mobility signals detected
FP
Fang Peng
low hireability
PhD Polymer Engineering (Univ. of Akron, 2018), dissertation on core-shell FFF filament manufacturing + 181-citation paper on melt extrusion rheology/flow in AM
Worked with Covestro on PC-based 3D printing filaments and co-extrusion line design — directly matches extrusion + filament AM requirements
Now Optical Process Engineer at Meta (AR/VR hardware), a notable career pivot away from polymer processing
Hireability: LOW — 6+ years post-PhD in industry, no recent publications since 2022, no open-to-work signals, and current role is in optical engineering rather than polymer/rheology
GD
Gowri Dorairaju
low hireability
18+ years as Polymer/Plastics Engineer at Foster Corporation (medical-grade polymer compounder, Northborough MA)
Published thermomechanical analysis of polyamide/clay nanocomposites (DMA, plastic deformation, structure-property relationships) and PVC nanocomposite additive synergy work — directly matches DMA/TGA/DSC and polymer rheology characterization requirements
AIChE conference presenter on nanofiller reinforcement
Recent fluoropolymer plasma thin-film papers (2023-2024) show continued experimental engagement
Foster Corp does extrusion-based compounding aligning with preferred extrusion experience
Hireability: LOW — 18+ years at single employer with no open-to-work or job-change signals found; entrenched long-tenured profile
JS
Jonathan Seppala
low hireability
Exact match for this role: PhD ChemE (Michigan State), ~10 years leading NIST's Polymer AM & Rheology group, published expert on processing-structure-property relationships in FFF/extrusion AM (die swell, IR thermography, weld formation, gel point measurement via chirp rheology)
His work directly addresses filament-based AM, melt rheology, and defining process windows — every core requirement of this job
Now Director of nSoft Consortium at NIST
Hireability: LOW — promoted to director-level at NIST in 2024, likely within first year of that role; no job-seeking signals found. Worth a reach-out given exceptional relevance, but expect low conversion
J(
Jonathan Seppala (batch1)
low hireability
Former Project Leader for NIST Polymer AM & Rheology (2020-2024), now Director of nSoft Consortium
PhD ChemE from Michigan State (thesis on polymer rheology)
Published 2025 papers directly on polymer rheology characterization (gel point identification via chirp rheometry) and material extrusion processing-structure-property relationships in polylactide
Exact match for role requirements: rheology of polymer melts/resins, FDM/extrusion AM, PSP relationships
Hireability: LOW — recently promoted to Director at nSoft Consortium (~2024, ~1.5 years ago), 10+ year NIST tenure, no open-to-work signals detected, actively receiving awards
KM
Kalman Migler
low hireability
Fellow of the Society of Rheology with 30+ years at NIST Polymers Processing Group
Direct expertise in polymer melt rheology, flow-induced crystallization, and extrusion-based additive manufacturing (published on FDM weld formation 2017, crystallization kinetics 2022, 2024)
Developed rheo-Raman microscopy combining rheological and spectroscopic characterization — exactly the processing-structure-property methodology the role demands
PhD Physics, former Group Leader (2001-2012)
Hireability: LOW — ~13 years as Staff Physicist at NIST after 30+ total years there; 2023 Slichter Award and active 2024 publications show no signs of transition; government researcher in stable tenured-equivalent position with no public signals of job seeking
LP
Leonard Palys
low hireability
Principal Scientist at Arkema Inc
(King of Prussia, PA) — makers of Kepstan PEKK for high-performance additive manufacturing
Career-long polymer processing expertise including melt flow modification, PLA melt strength improvement (ANTEC 2014), peroxide crosslinking/compounding, and elastomer formulation
Early publication on PET crystallization kinetics (Journal of Polymer Science 1980 with PJ Phillips) strongly suggests PhD/MS in Polymer Science
Directly relevant to rheological characterization of polymer melts for AM applications
Hireability: LOW — career spanning 40+ years with publications at Arkema from at least 2007; long-tenured Principal Scientist with no mobility signals found
LZ
Lior Zonder
low hireability
PhD Plastics Engineering (UMass Lowell), VP Materials R&D at Stratasys — published rheologist with papers on polymer melt viscosity, CNT nanocomposite extrusion, and twin-screw processing
Prior role at Israel Plastics and Rubber Center explicitly covered rheology and polymer processing
Deep extrusion-based AM experience through Stratasys FDM product line
Strong direct match on rheology + extrusion AM + processing-structure-property
Hireability: LOW — long-tenured VP at Stratasys, patent filings as recently as Sept 2025, no open-to-work signals, based in Israel (may require relocation)
MC
McKenzie Coughlin
low hireability
PhD ChemE (U Minnesota 2021), Chemical Engineer at NIST Polymers Processing Group
Direct polymer rheology expertise: flow-induced crystallization under shear, rheo-Raman, SAXS, extrusion of recycled PP blends — closely matching JD's focus on processing-structure-property for polymer systems and extrusion-based methods. 2024 ACS PMSE Future Leaders award
Hireability: LOW — transitioned to permanent NIST staff role in Jan 2025 (~15 months ago after NRC Postdoc), likely still settling in
NY
Nori Yamaguchi
low hireability
20+ years at SABIC in high-performance polymers (Ultem/polyetherimide); PhD Chemistry from Virginia Tech with academic rheology work (microrheology of hydrogels, 2005, 105 citations); managed Extrude Mold Test team at SABIC giving direct extrusion processing exposure; currently Sr
Manager LNP Compounds & Copolymers Technology
Strong polymer processing and formulation background though current role is management-heavy rather than hands-on experimentalist
Hireability: LOW — 20+ years at SABIC with no open-to-work signals, entrenched Sr. Manager position overseeing 25-35+ person teams
SK
Sam Kharchenko
low hireability
Leads TPU Technology Development North America at BASF with MIT education
Published rheological characterization of polymer/nanotube composites (NIST, 2006) and credited as collaborator on MIT elastomer friction research (2022)
Direct match on polymer rheology, materials processing, and industry polymer experience
However, current seniority level (Head of Technology Development) likely exceeds the IC practitioner scope of this role
Hireability: LOW — senior leadership position at a major chemical company, no observable signals of career transition or openness to move