Position Title: Lab Scientist
The Lab Scientist has primary responsibility to run experiments and process / characterize / analyze metals and ceramics in a specialized material development lab in support of research and development projects as well as material production. The Lab Scientist works with investigators, research personnel and other lab staff under direction of the Lab Manager to develop novel material compositions that meet specific performance requirements. The Lab Scientist is responsible for maintaining operation lab equipment and working in compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements.
Position will work a cutting edge material synthesis and characterization lab that develops powder metals, ceramics and composites. Equipment includes planetary ball mills, attrition mills and furnaces for material production; SEM, XRD, VSM, particle size, surface area and density analyzers for material characterization; and various powder metallurgy manufacturing equipment including isostatic pressing, wire drawing and additive manufacturing systems. All material production and preparation takes place in custom inert atmosphere environment. The Lab Scientist is expected to be proficient on the equipment and processes of the lab.
Essential Duties:
- Design experiments to answer technical questions about material characteristics, manufacturing methods and conductor performance
- Carry out lab experiments following prescribed processes and tracking results
- Synthesis of ceramic and intermetallic compounds
- Milling metals and ceramics
- Developing metal matrix composites from powder materials
- Characterize powders materials using laboratory equipment
- Manufacture conductors from powder materials
- Wire drawing
- Isostatic pressing
- Additive manufacturing
- Test conductors for critical current and magnetic field performance
- Track data, analyze results and make recommendations from data
- Install and maintain equipment; maintain quality and safety of lab, including compliance will all regulatory requirements
- Evaluate and recommend new techniques and technologies
Specific skills required:
- Ability to synthesize and characterize metallic and ceramic powders
- Experience working with physical characterization lab equipment (SEM, XRD, XPS, particle size, surface area, etc.)
- Experience working with and maintaining inert atmosphere glovebox environment
- Experience with material coating and deposition (CVD, PVD, ALD, etc.)
Education/Experience:
- BS in Chemistry, Physics, Material Science, or related
- Relevant lab research experience
