Materials Processing and Compatibility Research Technologist

Materials Processing and Compatibility Research Technologist 1/2

Join to apply for the Materials Processing and Compatibility Research Technologist 1/2 role at Los Alamos National Laboratory

The position will be filled at either the Research Technologist 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills/experience of the selected candidate. The successful candidate will work in a highly collaborative team environment, interfacing routinely with other Sigma Division staff as well as deployed personnel (Industrial Hygiene, Health Physics, Shipping, Facility Operations) to complete program objectives. You will work with several different pressure/vacuum/gas systems, including using existing systems to conduct experiments and designing new systems to meet specific experimental objectives.

Daily operations will require understanding and application of pressure and vacuum system technology, mechanical design/CAD and construction, machining, experimental control and data acquisition, analytical techniques and instrumentation, surface chemistry, and chemical kinetics. You will communicate results through oral and written reports to a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technicians, and technologists. Organization skills and working in a team-based environment are required to achieve these goals.

Research Technologist 1 $ 85,900 - $139,900

• Design, construction, testing, and operation of vacuum/pressure/gas/furnace/hot‑press systems and equipment.
• Preparation, processing, analysis and mechanical testing of polymers, plastics and polymer composite oxides.
• Design and assembly of fixtures and equipment; preparation of engineering drawings using CAD software; interfacing with machine shops.

Research Technologist 2 $ 94,500 - $154,600

• In addition to Research Technologist 1 responsibilities, the Research Technologist 2 will be periodically responsible for oversight of technologists, technicians, and/or students.
• Analyze experimental data and perform tasks to maintain high quality experiments, data collection, and archiving.

• Experience in polymers/oxides/hydrides/polymer composites preparation, processing, testing and analysis
• Basic chemistry/chemical engineering/materials processing knowledge and skills.
• Experience with pressure systems/electrical systems/furnaces/hot‑presses/vacuum systems.
• Willingness to learn, maintain and operate commercial off‑the‑shelf and custom built analytical instrumentation.
• Motivated to be a self‑guided learner of new techniques under the supervision of more experienced personnel.
• Willingness to work with radioactive materials and other hazardous materials, chemicals and solvents in a rigorous safety environment.
• Ability to acquire a Q‑clearance, which typically requires US citizenship.

Research Technologist 1 level:
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Research Technologist 2 level:
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, postgraduate coursework may be desirable.

• Experience with materials characterization techniques (XRD, electron microscopes, pycnometer, etc.)
• Experience with testing materials mechanical properties, compatibility and ageing phenomena.
• Experience in operating and/or maintaining analytical instrumentation.
• Hands‑on experience with sample preparation, materials processing in glove box and data acquisition and analysis resulting in reports or published manuscripts.
• Written and oral communication skills, including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience performing laboratory equipment or instrument specification, procurement, assembly, modification, maintenance, repair, and automation.
• Advanced experience with computer aided design (CAD), LabVIEW, MATLAB and Origin software.
• Demonstrated experience in operating and/or maintaining analytical instrumentation.

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