Staff Scientist, Mechanics of Materials

Staff Scientist, Mechanics of Materials

** Date:
** May 26, 2026

*
* Location:

** Corning, NY, US, 14831

** Company:
** Corning

Requisition Number: 75267

** The company built on breakthroughs. ​ *
* ** Join us.​ *
* Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what's possible.  ​ 

 How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations - not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward. ​ 

​ At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.​  

​ Come break through with us. 

** Role Purpose*
* This role supports the Physical Properties team by developing and applying small-scale mechanical characterization methods-primarily nanoindentation-to quantify hardness, elastic modulus, and related deformation/fracture metrics in glass and ceramic materials and relate them to mechanical performance. The scientist will design test plan, execute experiments, and interpret results using appropriate contact mechanics and materials models, and translate findings into actionable guidance for composition and process development.

The scientist will also serve as a subject matter expert, working with various projects and project leaders to guide discovery and application of mechanical property insights across R&D programs. Work spans method development (instrumentation, calibration, uncertainty), microstructure-property correlations, and collaboration with R&D partners to solve mechanical performance challenges in advanced glass/ceramic systems.

** Key Responsibilities*
* + Plan and execute damage/contact mechanics experiments on glass, ceramic, and/or coated samples (sample preparation, mounting, polishing, cleanliness, environmental controls)

+ Develop and maintain test methods (tip area function, frame compliance, reference materials, drift control, thermal stabilization, acceptance criteria)

+ Analyze load-displacement data using standard instrumented indentation analysis methods and evaluate sources of uncertainty and bias

+ Characterize indentation size effects, viscoelastic/viscoplastic response, and rate/time dependence as relevant to glass and glass-ceramics

+ Assess indentation cracking (pop-ins, radial/median cracks) and support fracture/mechanics interpretations; correlate with microscopy when available (optical/SEM/AFM)

+ Document procedures and results (lab notebooks, method documents, reports, and presentations); communicate conclusions and recommendations to project teams

+ Serve as a subject matter expert in damage mechanics, nanoindentation, and small-scale mechanics, partnering with project leaders to guide discovery, method selection, data interpretation, and application of results to development decisions

+ Partner with composition, process, and modeling teams to define hypotheses, design experiments, and translate mechanical data into development decisions

+ Maintain equipment readiness (routine checks, troubleshooting, vendor interactions, and scheduling) and uphold environmental health/safety practices in labs

** Required Education*
* + PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ceramics/Glass Science, or closely related field; MS with significant directly relevant experience may be considered

+ 2+ years of hands-on experience (graduate or industry) performing instrumented indentation (nanoindentation and/or microindentation) and analyzing mechanical property data

+ Demonstrated experience with brittle materials (glass, ceramics, glass-ceramics) and fundamental mechanics of materials (elasticity, plasticity, fracture, contact mechanics)

+ Experience designing experiments and applying statistical methods (DOE, uncertainty analysis, repeatability/reproducibility) to generate defensible property values

+ Ability to summarize complex technical findings clearly in written reports and presentations for…