Research Fellow
Amrize · Fishers
Elevate is committed to providing the highest quality commercial roofing, wall and lining systems to solve our customers’ challenges, grounded by a 45-year legacy of proven experience. Our mission is to deliver solutions that save time, perform reliably and protect our communities. We are devoted to building partnerships rooted in trust in reflection of our Elevate promise that Nobody Covers You Better™.
We’re seeking a Research Fellow who’s ready to be part of a people-first company offering best-in-class products, exceptional training, and deep industry pride—all built to help our partners and team succeed.
Job Title: Research Fellow | Req ID: 18079 | HR Contact: Sheena WATSON | Location: Building Envelope - Fishers, IN
ABOUT THE ROLE
Seeking a high-impact Technical Director/Research Fellow to lead advanced product development, material chemistry, and process innovation across our commercial roofing and building envelope portfolio. This role bridges the gap between fundamental polymer science and industrial scale-up, serving as both a primary R&D innovator and a senior technical authority for manufacturing plant operations.
The ideal candidate brings deep material science and process expertise across polyisocyanurate rigid foam, TPO, PVC, polyurethane (PU/TPU), and CASE. You will be responsible for translating market requirements into first-to-market commercial platforms, while providing hands-on root-cause failure analysis (RCFA) and line optimization on the plant floor.
WHAT YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH
R&D, Materials, Product and Process Innovation
- Advanced Formulation &Product Development: Lead R&D initiatives in Polyiso/EPS rigid foam insulation, TPO single-ply systems, and liquid-applied coatings/adhesives
- Process Technology & Scale-Up Integration: Partner with engineering teams on technology transfers from lab-scale synthesis through pilot line runs and full-scale commercial manufacturing
- Predictive & Digital R&D Workflows: Drive integration of predictive modeling tools (FEA), AI-driven material and process modeling, and digital analytics into R&D processes to optimize process and accelerate product launch
- IP Generation & Pipeline Management: Drive early-stage concepts to build patentable intellectual property, establishing long-term competitive differentiation and high-margin product platforms.
Plant Troubleshooting & Manufacturing Support
- Root-Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA): Serve as the principal technical contact to diagnose and resolve complex material defects, cure/mixing instabilities, crosslinking optimization, delamination issues, thermal stability analysis, viscoelastic behavior and melt fracture elimination
- Process Window Optimization: Partner with plant engineering to establish tight process windows, optimize line speeds, improve mix ratios, and integrate automated process controls without sacrificing product performance or yield.
- Material Qualification and Process Specification: Collaborate with Procurement, Quality,and Operations to formulate and execute lab-to-plant qualification protocols for alternative raw materials to optimize raw material P&L without compromising performance and translating material characterization data into strict plant process specifications
Technical Leadership, Code Compliance & Alliances
- Industry Standards & Building Codes: Ensure all new formulations and structural modifications strictly comply with industry standards including ASTM, FM Global (wind uplift/fire resistance), UL, and Miami-Dade protocols.
- Open Innovation & Vendor Partnerships: Build strategic alliances with suppliers, university research labs, and external test facilities to leverage innovative commercial offerings to accelerate new product development, optimize materials and processes
- Technical Mentorship: Mentor and develop junior scientists, process engineers, and lab technicians, promoting scientific rigor, structured experimental design, and analytical testing excellence.
- Demonstrate a commitment to communicating, improving and adhering to health, safety and environmental policies in all work environments and areas. Promote a culture of safety and exhibit these behaviors.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Degree: Ph.D. or MS in Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Organic Chemistry, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Experience: 20+ years (Master's) or 15+ years (Ph.D.) of hands-on R&D and plant-floor experience in building products, polymer processing, commercial roofing, or advanced industrial materials.
- Track Record: Proven history of leading product scale-ups, managing multi-million-dollar technology platforms, and delivering patent-protected commercial solutions.
Core Domain & Technical Expertise
- Polymer & Roofing Chemistries: Demonstrated, hands-on experience in one or more core domains:
- Rigid foam insulation chemistry (Polyiso formulations, blowing agents, surfactant optimization).
- Polymer processing (TPO, PU/PIR , co-extrusion, film/tape compounding, protective coating systems).
- Adhesives & Elastomeric Coatings (Solvent/water-based, UV-cured, hot-melt, single-ply adhesives, PU/silicone chemistry).
- Analytical Characterization: Solid expertise in thermal, rheological, and mechanical characterization tools.
- Plant-Floor Aptitude: Direct experience troubleshooting continuous extrusion, compounding, coating, or foam lamination production lines in heavy industrial manufacturing environments.
- Codes & Regulatory: Working knowledge of building code approvals, fire retardancy standards, wind uplift testing, and environmental compliance requirements.
Additional Requirements:
- Successful candidates must adhere to all safety protocols and proper use of Amrize approved Personal Protection Equipment ("PPE"), including but not limited to respirators. Employees that are required to wear respirators must be clean shaven where the respirator seal meets the face in order to pass the qualitative and quantitative fit tests.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive salary
- Retirement Savings: Choose from 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax savings
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Medical, Dental, Disability and Life Insurance
- Holistic Health & Well-being programs
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health and dependent care
- Vision and other Voluntary benefits and discounts
- Paid time off & paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave (maternity & paternity)
- Educational Assistance Program
- Dress for your day
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Amrize is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.