Sr. Materials Scientist - Polymer and Composites

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We deliver new technologies that connect fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage. We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development, and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization.
Are you an outstanding scientist with an emerging national reputation in the area of polymer composites? The Applied Materials & Manufacturing Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking a new team member to support and grow research programs in polymer and composite materials; polymer matrix-fiber interfacial chemistry; resin and adhesive development, composite materials processing; and/or novel processing approaches. These materials may be used as high-strength lightweight materials for vehicles to reduce energy use in the nation's transportation sector or as alternative fuels that impact material compatibility, such as blended natural gas and hydrogen infrastructure. The candidate will lead proposal and research teams, develop and propose new ideas. They will provide technical direction to research projects, collaborate broadly with highly diverse researchers, manage project execution, and mentor junior staff. The position holder will participate in the larger technical community by authoring manuscripts for publication and presenting at (and organizing sessions at) national meetings. They will also be expected to originate and develop intellectual property that can be patented and licensed for commercial use.
Expert in at least one technical domain, with the ability to connect multiple domains to develop high-performing teams to accomplish customer project goals. Sought after for technical leadership to select and develop approaches to complex challenges. Uses established cross-organizational network, external peers, and clients to further outcomes. Principal investigator or co-PI on multiple or significantly complex, and/or high-risk projects or tasks and/or involving multiple tasks, capabilities, and organizations. Develops and realizes new significant project opportunities, leading the development of technical proposals or sections of large proposals. Takes lead in scope, schedule, and budget for projects or large tasks. Mentors junior staff and peers. Recognized by sponsors and collaborators for delivery on important program elements.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR- PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience
• U.S. Citizenship
• Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
• Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in materials science or engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field with 10 years of industrial or research laboratory experience, or MS/MA with 15 years of similar experience.
• A professional reputation for technical expertise and technical leadership within the field.
• Experience as principal investigator on multiple or significantly complex and/or high-risk projects or tasks, and managing project teams.
• Demonstrated record of publication in top-tier journals and an ability to collaborate and lead within a teaming environment.
• Demonstrated record of proposal writing and awards
• Experience in the DOE and NNSA research sectors.
• Polymer and composite materials, recyclability, biodegradability, or in matrix-fiber interfacial chemistry
• Adhesive development for joining difficult-to-bond or dissimilar materials
• Industrially scalable composites processing approaches, such as compression molding, pultrusion, HP-RTM, injection molding, prepreg development, preforming, and in state-of-the art high speed molding processes
• Composite design, joining, and modeling
• Polymer system modifications for design property performance
• Polymeric and elastomeric materials characterization, such as DSC, TGA, TEM, SEM, DMA, tribology, FTIR, NMR, and other tools
• Polymer and elastomer materials processes in both thermoplastic and thermosetting materials

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal and research teams, develop and propose new ideas.
• Provide technical direction to research projects, collaborate broadly with highly diverse researchers, manage project execution, and mentor junior staff.
• Participate in the larger technical community by authoring manuscripts for publication and presenting at (and organizing sessions at) national meetings.
• Originate and develop intellectual property that can be patented and licensed for commercial use.
• Expert in at least one technical domain, with the ability to connect multiple domains to develop high-performing teams to accomplish customer project goals.
• Sought after for technical leadership to select and develop approaches to complex challenges.
• Uses established cross-organizational network, external peers, and clients to further outcomes.
• Principal investigator or co-PI on multiple or significantly complex, and/or high-risk projects or tasks and/or involving multiple tasks, capabilities, and organizations.
• Develops and realizes new significant project opportunities, leading the development of technical proposals or sections of large proposals.
• Takes lead in scope, schedule, and budget for projects or large tasks.
• Mentors junior staff and peers.
• Recognized by sponsors and collaborators for delivery on important program elements.

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree