Research Technologist: Polymers, CAD & Vacuum Systems

What You Will Do

The Sigma-1 Research Technologist will work in a highly collaborative team environment, interfacing routinely with Sigma Division staff and deployed personnel to complete program objectives. The role involves operating and designing pressure/vacuum/gas systems, mechanical design/CAD, machining, experimental control, data acquisition, analytical techniques, 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 skill and teamwork are required.

• 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.
• Apply scientific method to address technical problems, operate and troubleshoot commercial off‑the‑shelf and custom equipment, and analyze data from experiments.
• Interface directly with staff scientists for collaborative work and result communication.

• All responsibilities of Research Technologist 1.
• Periodically oversee technologists, technicians, and/or students.
• Analyze experimental data and perform tasks to maintain high‑quality experiments, data collection, and archiving.
• Develop and modify equipment design, experimental methods, and procedures to achieve prescribed experiment objectives.

• 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 U.S. citizenship.

• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience in materials preparation, processing, and testing.
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience with pressure systems/electrical systems/furnaces/thermal/hot‑presses/vacuum systems.
• Experience developing and modifying equipment design, experimental methods, and procedures to achieve prescribed experiment objectives.

Research Technologist 1 requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and two years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Candidates meeting the degree requirement but not the experience requirement are encouraged to apply. Research Technologist 2 requires a Bachelor’s Degree and five years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Post‑graduate coursework may be desirable.

• Experience with materials characterization techniques (XRD, electron microscopy, pycnometry, etc.).
• Experience testing mechanical properties, compatibility and ageing phenomena.
• Experience 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.

Ability to…