Polymer R&D - Research Scientist

Company: AMERICAN VACUUM SOCIETY INC
Location: Livermore
Posted on: May 17, 2023

Job Description:

We have an opening for a Polymer R&D Scientist to conduct research in the following areas: I) research and development of new/modified engineering elastomers and elastomer resins, including materials for production by additive manufacturing (AM); II) research into the influence of age, environment, and manufacturing process conditions on the chemical structure and physical properties of engineering polymer materials. This position is in the Materials Science Division. This position will be filled at either the SES.3 or SES.4 level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level. In this role you will

• Contribute to the research and development of new and/or modified applied polymer materials with a focus on rubbery elastomers, including development of candidate feedstocks for additive manufacturing of engineering elastomers. Example additive manufacturing methods to be supported may include direct-ink-write, fused-deposition modeling, selective laser sintering, or stereolithography.
• Characterize the chemical changes and degradations to engineering polymer materials, especially silicones, resulting from age, environment, and manufacturing process conditions.
• Collaborate on accelerated aging and lifetime prediction studies of engineering polymer materials.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for polymer material formulation, synthesis and processing for engineering applications.
• Conceive, design, and execute research to address defined problems and applications.
• Develop and present written analyses, verbal briefings, and other products that capture and communicate research results as well as periodic progress reports.
• Collaborate with scientists in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish program goals.
• Document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at open conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level
  • Independently develop or lead development of new materials and/or feedstocks for additive manufacturing of engineering polymer materials.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for the synthesis, processing, and characterization of polymers for engineering applications.
  • Serve as point of contact for accelerated aging and lifetime prediction studies of engineering polymer materials.
    • Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.
    • PhD in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
    • Advanced knowledge of the synthesis of polymer resins, in particular elastomer and thermoplastic elastomer resins, for engineering applications (e.g. silicones, nitriles, TPU).
    • Advanced knowledge of polymer resin characterization, including chemical composition and molecular weight distribution analysis.
    • Experience with mechanical (and/or rheological) and structural characterization of both resin and polymer material properties, using, for example, techniques such as DMA, rotational rheometry, swelling, thermal analysis, and/or load frame testing.
    • Proven ability as a creative experimentalist, and a diverse range of experience in experimental design, techniques and execution.
    • Authorship of peer-reviewed literature demonstrating the capacity to independently develop and execute original research.
    • Advanced verbal and written communication as reflected by effective presentations at seminars, meetings and/or teaching lectures.
    • The willingness and ability to self-direct and work independently, and to collaborate on multidisciplinary teams as required to reach research goals. Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level
      • Highly advanced knowledge of polymer characterization, including, for example, monomer sequence distribution analysis in copolymers, or analysis of measured mechanical/rheological properties and their relationship to structure.
      • Subject matter expertise in the processing and/or rheology of filled (reinforced) polymer materials for engineering/industrial applications.
      • Consultative direction of scientific personnel and complex projects. Qualifications We Desire
        • Experience with polymer material additive manufacturing (AM), including synthesis of AM feedstock materials and/or actual AM fabrication processes.
        • Experience with commercial gumstock and composite preparation processes such as roll mixing, intensive shear mixing, and/or extrusion.

Keywords: AMERICAN VACUUM SOCIETY INC, Livermore , Polymer R&D - Research Scientist, Other , Livermore, California