Research Technologist

What You Will Do

The Engineered Materials Group (MST-7) is seeking outstanding candidates to perform deposition and analysis of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), and/or Chemical Solution deposition (CSD) coatings. The candidate is expected to work independently and lead deposition/analysis method development. Regular dissemination of results in the form of well-kept laboratory notebooks, internal reports, peer-reviewed research papers, and conference presentations will be essential for success.

The Surface & Interface Engineering Team R&D Technologist will support MST-7 and other organizations across LANL. MST-7's mission is to use our materials science expertise to address national security needs. This requires maintaining excellence in fundamental materials science, innovative materials development, and synthesis of unique thin films and coatings coupled with cutting edge materials fabrication processes, advanced characterization techniques and world class ultra-precision design and machining.

We apply a multi-disciplinary approach to push the state-of-the-art in engineered materials to be responsive to emergent national security requirements, trusted stakeholders, and production agency needs.

• Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Assures safety and security compliance, maintains required safety and security training, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task.
• Contributes to the development of techniques and the fulfillment of research goals. Can resolve problems of moderately complex scope requiring review of a variety of factors.
• Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts.
• Works independently but under collaborative direction and guidance toward predetermined goals and objectives.
• Work is checked through consultation and agreement with others and may involve formal review by a senior member of the team.
• Contribute to the development of specifications for project implementation and verifying that the end product meets expectations and requirements.
• Prepares research documentation and may provide peer-review of the documentation of other members of the team.
• May supply ideas and/or input to proposals.
• May contribute to or co-author scientific publications.
• May act as lead and review activities of other employees on specific tasks that contribute to the larger project.
• Contributions are of sufficient value and scope to have impact on project goals; conversely, incorrect technical decisions can cause significant delays in project completion.
• Understands and adheres to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to the work and work area to which assigned.
• Fosters a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

• Knowledge in the area of practice acquired by experience, certification and/or formal education, i.e. experience with vacuum/coating system maintenance and operation for coating and/or analysis operations.
• Knowledge of scientific principles, experimental processes, mathematical formulas, computations and data gathering methods. The candidate should be comfortable developing PVD, CVD, and/or CSD procedures and execute characterization of coating/surface qualities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard principles, concepts and techniques in area of technical specialty.
• Some knowledge of industry, regulatory, DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) complex codes, standards and criteria pertinent to the particular area of research.
• Moderate level of supervising some portion of research projects in a safe and effective manner.
• Ability to obtain a "Q" clearance.

Education/

Experience:

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.

• Experience with some subset of maintenance and operation of vacuum/coating systems (e-beam, magnetron sputter, ion beam assisted deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, high vacuum furnace).
• Experience in wet-chemistry preparation of chemical solutions for coating by dipping, spraying, or spin coating and operation of CSD coating systems.
• Experience with some subset of maintenance and operation of surface analysis instrumentation (scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, focused ion beam milling/microscopy, atomic force microscopy, adhesion testing, contact angle goniometry, optical/stylus profilometry).
• Experience with some subset of relevant software (Solidworks, Python, Matlab, Origin, Igor, Lab View).
• At this level, post graduate course work is desirable.
• Active Q clearance.