Associate Scientist: Bio-Polymer Processing & Fiber Engineering

Finiks Forge is developing a biomaterials platform that transforms keratin-rich waste into regenerated high-performance advanced materials for the textile industry. We are seeking an Associate Scientist to execute hands-on polymer-processing research, with a primary focus on material characterization, process optimization and fiber manufacturing.

Working under the supervision of a Senior Research Scientist, you will translate biopolymer formulations into manufacturing processes for biomaterial fabrication. You will operate and improve laboratory and pre-pilot scale material manufacturing equipment, connecting materials formulations and processing conditions to material performance.

Our material innovation is supported by the National Science Foundation through an SBIR award and by partners across the textile supply chain. The position is based on-site in Brooklyn, New York.

What You Will Do

- Plan and execute fiber-spinning and processing experiments under the direction of a Senior Research Scientist, with increasing independence as projects progress.

- Prepare biopolymer formulations and evaluate how composition, concentration, viscosity, rheology, and processing conditions affect processability and material fabrication performance.

- Characterize formulations and processed materials using microscopy, rheology, thermal analysis, spectroscopy, mechanical testing and others.

- Design and conduct controlled fiber-spinning and other extrusion-based experiments to evaluate formulation processability and fiber formation.

- Plan and execute repeatable fiber-production trials across formulation, spinneret design, extrusion rate, coagulation and washing chemistry, drawing ratio, and post-processing;
increase experimental throughput while maintaining reliable records.

- Measure fiber morphology and mechanical properties;
compare replicate fibers and document variability.

- Analyze processing and mechanical data to identify trends, defects, and practical next experiments;
communicate results with the Senior Research Scientist for the next iteration.

- Prepare samples for external partners and coordinate testing, shipment, and technical documentation.

- Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and equipment logs and contribute to protocols, SOPs, technical reports, and grant deliverables.

- Set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and pilot fiber-spinning equipment, including spinnerets, extrusion systems, baths, and draw stages.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in polymer science, materials science, fiber science or engineering or a related field, with at least two years of relevant industry experience;
or a PhD in a related field with hands-on experience in fiber spinning, fiber-process development, or polymer processing.

- Working knowledge of polymer behavior, solution preparation, formulation, rheology, heat and mass transfer, and structure-process-property relationships.

- Hands-on fiber engineering experience, including spinning or extrusion trials, control of processing parameters, troubleshooting fiber defects, and quantitative fiber characterization in an academic or industrial laboratory.

- Ability to operate experimental equipment, follow and improve protocols, troubleshoot failures, and work safely with chemicals and mechanical systems.

- Experience collecting reproducible experimental data and evaluating fiber performance with tensile stress–strain curves, microscopy, and appropriate statistical or graphical methods.

- Strong laboratory documentation, organization, communication, and time-management skills.

- Ability to collaborate closely with a supervisor while taking ownership of assigned experiments and development tasks.

- Interest in working in an early-stage company where priorities evolve and hands-on problem-solving is essential.

Preferred Experience

- Direct experience with fiber spinning at lab or pilot-scale, including wet-spinning melt-spinning and others.

- Film extrusion, casting, coating, roll-to-roll processing, or additive manufacturing.

- Hands-on experience in processing biopolymers such as proteins, keratin preferred, or polysaccharides, and man-made polymer systems.

- Designing, modifying, or assembling laboratory processing equipment.

- Rheometry, tensile testing, microscopy, FTIR, DSC, DMA, or related characterization methods and experience with instruments like Instron or ZwickRoell.

- Textile fibers, yarn preparation, fiber finishing, and testing according to ASTM or comparable methods.

What We Offer

- A hands-on role developing a new circular materials platform from formulation through pilot manufacturing.

- Direct mentorship from the Senior Research Scientist and close collaboration with the founder and external technical partners.

- Base salary: $75,000-$110,000, based on experience, plus stock options.

- Health benefits.

How to Apply

Please send a CV or resume and a brief cover letter describing your relevant fiber, polymer-processing, or materials-development experience to View email address on click.appcast.io with the subject line "Associate Scientist."

• Finiks Forge, Inc. is committed to building a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.