with STEM™ CAREERS JOB KIT
Polymer CHEMIST
Invent, develop and improve the materials used by billions of people every day
SOLVE PROBLEMS NOW. DECIDE YOUR PATH LATER.
“Studying polymer chemistry has opened up the world for me. I can work on anything from biodegradable plastics to biomedical materials.”
– Lachlan Alexander
With a Polymer Chemistry major from Monash, you’ll open doors to careers in health, climate, tech, materials and beyond. Find out more here.
Invent materials of the future
Polymer chemists design and create the materials that industries everywhere rely on
YThe massive variety of polymers we use in everyday life is created from an astonishingly small number of building blocks.
ou’re surrounded by polymers. From the clothes you wear and the devices you use to your shoes, shampoo and sports gear, polymers are everywhere.
What’s the difference between, for example, the nylon in your backpack, the plastic in your drink bottle and the proteins in your body?
Really just the order of these building blocks and the precision with which they are made.
As polymer chemists, we’re focused on making polymer materials better. The plastic of today is the nanotech of tomorrow. When we change the way a polymer is put together, we can give it more function.
And that has huge and ongoing potential for industries everywhere.
tanja junkers Professor of Polymer Chemistry Monash University
Find out more about Tanja’s research here
Learning from nature’s polymers
Plastic is a polymer, and there’s no getting around it: plastic is a problem.
At Monash University, we’re leading research in sustainable plastics, working with industry to create carbon-neutral materials and advanced recycling systems.
Imagine a plastic that will do its job - and then decompose when triggered to do so.
Nature’s polymers are brilliant at performing their function and then efficiently biodegrading. Wood, leather, silk, even DNA and proteins are all polymers.
As a polymer chemist, you’ll be learning from nature’s genius to design smarter materials. You’ll use the most modern technology, including cutting-edge robotics, to invent new polymers.
You’ll redesign - and improve - the products we all use every day.
If you want the world to become more sustainable, if you want to fight for the environment, then being a chemist is the right thing to do”
What kind of people become polymer chemists?
People who want to make a difference and invent something that could literally change the world.
As well as making materials greener, we’re working on next-gen materials for biomedical science, engineering, nanotechnology, space exploration and more. As a polymer chemist, you’ll have real impact. You’ll do things that people can actually touch and feel. This is an extremely exciting field. I hope you can join us.
Tanja Junkers, Professor of Polymer Chemistry Monash University
Research Associate, UNSW, Sydney
Senior scientist, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Master and PhD in Chemistry, University of Goettingen, Germany
Professor, Monash University
Lecturer, Hasselt University, Belgium
Let’s get molecular
Polymer chemistry combines creativity and science to shape the future
Areas to specialise in
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
developing artificial skin or drug delivery systems.
SUSTAINABILITY
inventing compostable plastics or recycling solutions.
AEROSPACE
creating lightweight parts for rockets and satellites.
ELECTRONICS
creating flexible, wearable polymer-powered tech.
ENERGY
working on next-gen batteries and solar cells.
NANOTECH
designing molecular machines on the nanoscale.
Top five polymers of all time?
1 Polystyrene
2 Polymer superabsorbers
3 Clear, solid blocks of PMMA plastic
4 Bullet-proof Kevlar
5 Fire-proof Nomex
SOURCE: POPULAR SCIENCE
What is polymer chemistry?
Polymer chemistry is the science of creating and studying polymers – long chains of repeating molecules that make up materials like plastic, rubber, nylon and DNA.
New materials designed by polymer chemists can be stronger, more flexible, more heat resistant and more readily biodegradable. Think everything from flexible films to bulletproof vests.
Dr Khay Fong collecting microplastic samples in Sydney Harbour
Quick facts about Khay
• been to 43 countries
• rock climbing amateur
• microplastics expert
Tackling microplastics
Khay Fong is course coordinator for Monash University’s Master of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies. She’s also a keen microplastics researcher.
“Microplastics don’t just disappear,” Khay says. “They fragment infinitely. They’re in everything.”
Khay says only 12.5% of plastic gets recycled, and only three or four types can be recycled on an industrial scale. “And they can only be recycled three times before they lose their structural integrity. The rest goes to landfill or incinerators.”
Green chemistry aims to be part of the solution.
“Much of polymer chemistry now considers how to make these materials circular, reparable or as strong and permanent as metal. We need to find better ways to de-polymerise them down to the atom, as it’s only at this level that they can be truly recycled.”
More on microplastics here.
Yuxi Liu is a PhD student at Monash University. He’s studying polymers inspired by the natural pigments that colour flowers. His aim? To use these polymers to create smart sensors that change colour depending on temperature, pH and light. Such sensors could be used to diagnose disease, detect infection or signal mechanical stress.
After his PhD, Yuxi says he’s keen to take his skills further. “I’m deeply inspired by the researchers I’ve collaborated with. I want to apply my polymer chemistry expertise where it can drive meaningful innovation.”
Yuxi says Monash’s research community and facilities are exceptional. “Engaging with passionate researchers through regular discussions is incredibly stimulating,” he says. “It really helps refine my ideas.”
double THE OPPORTUNITY
Why not combine your polymer chemistry smarts with a double degree in biomedical science, computer science, engineering or global studies? Job options include:
Biomedical materials scientist
Polymer process engineer
Polymer informatics specialist
Sustainability consultant
True or false?
yuxi liu phd monashstudent,university
Build your own adventure
Combine polymer chemistry, robotics and travel for amazing career opportunities
When Lachlan Alexander isn’t training for a marathon, planning an overseas trip or hanging with his mates and dachshund Murphy, he’s making things with polymers as part of his chemistry honours at Monash University.
“There’s pretty much a polymer for just about any application you can imagine,” he says. “By changing relatively minor aspects of their chemical structure, you can make a polymer hard or soft, rigid or stretchy, or even respond to its environment.
“I’ve made polymers that change their shape and chemical properties when heated and then return to normal when cooled!”
What’s French for polymer?
Lachlan decided on polymer chemistry after Monash University set him up with a sixweek research project in Paris for his third year chemistry research unit
lachlan
“I investigated new ways of preparing nanoparticles to maximise their efficiency for drug delivery,” Lachlan says. “It made me realise that polymer chemistry is in a really exciting place right now. Our ability to build polymers has advanced to the point where we can basically control every single aspect of their structure.”
Lachlan sees loads of applications for his work, “from biodegradable structural plastics and smart biomedical materials, all the way to more effective energy storage.”
alexander
DACHSHUND
DAD,
polymer chemistry honours student
Robots in the lab
Lachlan’s focus is now on combining robotics with polymer chemistry. “In modern labs, robots can be used to mix chemicals, run experiments and collect data, often around the clock.” He says this is a game- changer for polymer chemistry.
“It’s opening up entirely new ways to solve real-world problems, faster than ever before.”
Lachlan says Monash University’s polymer chemistry team is absolutely first class. “Learning from researchers with that level of real-world experience gives a unique level of depth and excitement.”
What’s next? Hopefully a job overseas. “France, for example, has a strong chemical and materials science industry that I’d love to be a part of.”
I love the idea of just how much we can do and make with polymers”
FROM LITTLE THINGS, BIG THINGS GROW
Creating new opportunities from tiny molecules is Tim Davey’s passion
Tim Davey is the polymer research and development lead for paint company Dulux. He’s also a keen traveller, electric guitarist and co-author of about New Zealand’s rock music scene.
After completing his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in chemistry, Tim backpacked around Europe and Asia, then headed to New Zealand to tackle a PhD, then to Strasbourg, France, then Sydney, to continue his chemistry research.
“Doing a PhD was a great way to live and work in foreign countries,” he says.
Paint a brighter future
Although he loved academic research, Tim had an itch to work on something in industry with real-world impact. “I landed a job as a research chemist at Dulux.”
He’s now leading a team of polymer chemists, focused on developing next-generation paints and coatings.
Dulux HQ is just down the road from Monash Uni, which Tim says provides plenty of opportunity for collaboration. “Polymer chemistry allows someone to work in many different areas, from paints and coatings, to plastics, to biomedical science.”
I wanted to work on something that would have an immediate impact on the world”
Day in the life
There’s somethingalways new around the corner, says Tim. “I am continuously learning and that is the exciting nature of research.”
8:30am
Dive into emails.
9:30am
Work on a new polymer coating with improved adhesion.
1:00pm
Check out new materials with a supplier.
2:00pm
Take a look at paint test panels in the lab.
3:00pm
Work on a presentation about creating more sustainable coatings.
Bachelor of Science (Hons), Chemistry
PhD, Chemistry, University of Otago, NZ
Post-doctoral research fellow, Institut Charles Sadron, France and Sydney, Australia
Polymer Research Team Leader, Dulux
Senior Research Chemist, Orica
tim davey electric guitarist, keen polymertraveller, chemist
Step by step to a career as a polymer chemist
Choose polymer chemistry if you are: ✔ A flexible thinker
A keen inventor ✔ Resilient and persistent ✔ Environmentally conscious
try
Love oobleck?
Watch
What is a polymer? (YouTube)
How to identify and draw polymers, all in under four minutes.
How to make the polyurethane (YouTube short)
This exothermic (hot!) reaction looks awesome and creates a fabulous foamy polymer.
Grabby chains of polyethylene oxide (YouTube short)
Gravity defying and bright green, this is polymer magic.
Esther Olu (Instagram)
Esther is a cosmetic chemist whose reels take you inside the chemistry of the beauty industry.
Create this cornstarch monster at home. It’s polymer research!
Ever played with fake snow? That’s polymer science at work. Check out this Science Max polymer experiment (and go on, try it at home!)
Subject checklist
Get a head start in your polymer chemistry career with these high school subjects:
Chemistry
Mathematics
Work all over the world
Polymer chemists are in-demand all over the world. Example jobs include:
• UK
Develop nanomaterials to fight cancer
• US
Develop new polymers for Apple products
• Germany
Generate material models for crash simulations
• Australia
Design and create peptides for new medicines