Research Chemist​/Materials Scientist – Polymer Formulation WPAFB, OH

The Photonic Materials Branch at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Foundational Technologies Directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, OH is seeking a qualified research scientist with expertise in polymer chemistry, polymer formulation, and materials characterization to join an active, interdisciplinary research team.

The successful candidate will serve as a contractor responsible for carrying out the design, synthesis, compounding, and advanced formulation of polymeric materials and organic small molecules to develop next-generation functional material systems for defense and optical applications. The primary research effort focuses on establishing structure-property-processing relationships in advanced polymer formulations, optimizing additive and resin packages, tuning cure kinetics and rheological properties, and tailoring performance under functional operating environments.

Working at AFRL provides a unique opportunity to solve critical, long-term technological challenges in an environment that strongly encourages collaboration across government, academic, and industry partners. The candidate will work alongside a diverse team of synthetic chemists, nanomaterial specialists, and processing engineers, with opportunities to formulate objectives and work plans, review experimental designs, co-author publications in peer-reviewed journals, present findings at conferences, and mentor junior researchers.

• Design and execute research programs focused on advanced polymer formulations and functional material systems for defense and optical applications.
• Synthesize, compound, and optimize polymeric materials, organic small molecules, resin matrices, reactive blends, and photocurable systems.
• Develop and refine formulations incorporating crosslinkers, initiators, catalysts, plasticize rs, fillers, and other functional additives.
• Synthesize and formulate specialized polymer backbones, including polysiloxanes, acrylics, epoxies, and conjugated polymers.
• Perform chemical separations and purifications using techniques such as chromatography, distillation, recrystallization, extraction, and precipitation.
• Establish structure–property–processing relationships for advanced polymer systems.
• Optimize additive and resin packages, cure kinetics, rheological behavior, and processing conditions.
• Tailor polymer formulation performance for specific functional operating environments and application requirements.
• Plan and execute experimental designs, formulate research objectives, and develop technical work plans.
• Conduct thermal and mechanical characterization using DSC, TGA, DMA, and rheology.
• Perform spectroscopic and structural analyses using NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis/NIR, photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy.
• Evaluate material morphology and microstructure using SEM and SAXS/WAXS techniques.
• Analyze experimental data, identify trends, troubleshoot technical issues, and recommend formulation or processing improvements.
• Develop and implement automated synthesis, formulation, curing, and high-throughput screening workflows.
• Operate liquid-handling robotics, automated powder-dispensing systems, photocuring stations, and automated reaction arrays, as applicable.
• Design custom reaction vessels, fixtures, and sample holders using CAD software and 3D printing.
• Support high-throughput characterization using automated optical, X-ray diffraction, imaging, and other analytical platforms.
• Write scripts, including Python-based workflows, for data reduction, curve fitting, baseline correction, and LIMS integration.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, experimental protocols, formulation databases, and technical reports.
• Collaborate with synthetic chemists, nanomaterial specialists,…