Material Scientist

Description

Leidos is seeking a Materials Scientist to join our team in Albany, OR to conduct research with a multidisciplinary team focused on investigating additively manufactured (AM) Ni-based superalloys for use in high efficiency, fuel flexible gas turbines. The candidate should possess knowledge and practical experience conducting research in processing‑microstructure‑property relationships for high performance alloys used in gas turbines or similar structural applications.

The position will be 100% on site, research and development support for the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Research & Development facility in Albany, OR.

• Characterize microstructures using advanced techniques (SEM, XRD, EBSD, TEM).
• Perform mechanical testing and phase stability studies (i.e., heat treatments) on additively manufactured Ni-based superalloys.
• Determine failure and deformation mechanisms associated with high temperature application under service environments.
• Predict phase equilibria, kinetic phase information/compositions as it relates to thermal history and solidification behavior using computational simulation methods (e.g. CALPHAD, Diffusion Simulations, and/or Related Software).

• Specify additive manufactured build articles and assist with developing testing and characterization plans.
• Analyze and interpret data generated from research to understand processing‑microstructure‑property relationships using advanced materials science concepts and robust statistical analysis.

• Author and/or co‑author reports, manuscripts, and articles suitable for peer‑review publication.
• Participate and present research results in company and client meetings and in externally facing settings.

The successful candidate will work on local and geographically dispersed teams with other engineers, scientists, technicians, subject matter experts, faculty members, post‑doctoral students, and graduate and undergraduate students across DOE National Laboratories, other U.S. government laboratories, universities, industries, and research organizations. The candidate will attend regular and ad‑hoc meetings and contribute to the development of written reports, journal articles, and presentations on findings and innovative solutions in DOE‑sanctioned meetings, scientific conferences, and national committees.

• Masters degree in Materials Science and Engineering or related field with 2+ years related experience
• Experience characterizing microstructures of structural materials using advanced techniques (SEM, EDS, XRD, EBSD, TEM and potentially EPMA).
• Experience with mechanical testing and analysis for structure‑property relationship of high temperature structural alloys (Fe‑based, Ni‑based, high entropy alloys, etc.).
• Experience with phase transformation, thermodynamics, and physics of high temperature structural alloys (Fe‑based, Ni‑based, high entropy alloys, etc.).
• Demonstrated record of successfully working independently and with minimum supervision as part of a multi‑disciplinary team interacting with people possessing a variety of expertise.
• Detail‑oriented, able to take initiative, works well both independently and as a team member, and be able to balance competing and changing priorities.
• Demonstrated competency in scientific and engineering modeling and analysis tools applicable to the specific tasks.
• Possess strong analytical, oral, and written communications skills, particularly the ability to:
  • Analyze and interpret data generated from research, apply data to analysis within the context of scope and direction, and clearly report results.
  • Author and/or co‑author reports, manuscripts, and articles suitable for inclusion in refereed journals.
  • Present research results in company and client meetings and in externally facing settings.
• Ability to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering or related field.
• Experience with advanced characterization of structural alloys (microstructure, grain structure, phase identification, deformation).
• Expertise in diffusional processes associated with failure caused by…