Material Characterization Post Doctorate

Job Description Summary

GE Vernova's Advanced Research Center is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our Materials, Coatings and Modeling team. The successful candidate will lead advanced microstructural characterization, metallography, and critical minerals research supporting next-generation technologies across power generation, electrification, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.

This role will focus on developing structure-property-processing relationships through advanced microscopy and analytical characterization techniques. The researcher will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of materials scientists, engineers, and data scientists to accelerate the development of advanced materials for energy applications.

Essential Responsibilities

• Perform advanced characterization of metallic, ceramic, and composite materials using:
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS)
  • Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)
  • Optical Microscopy
  • Image Analysis and Quantitative Metallography
• Develop and optimize metallographic preparation procedures for challenging materials systems.
• Conduct microstructural analysis of critical minerals, alloys, coatings, and advanced energy materials.
• Perform quantitative measurements of grain size, phase distribution, texture, porosity, inclusions, and degradation mechanisms.
• Support failure analysis and root cause investigations.
• Correlate microstructure with material performance and processing conditions.
• Design and execute experimental studies related to critical material processing, extraction technologies, recycling, and resource recovery.
• Collaborate with internal research teams, universities, national laboratories, and government‑funded programs.
• Generate technical reports, publications, invention disclosures, and conference presentations.
• Contribute to proposal development for internally and externally funded research programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Mineral Processing, Mining Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 2+ years of experience with Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and metallography.
• 2+ years of experience with electron probe microanalysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experimental design and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed publications and research excellence.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Experience with critical minerals, rare earth elements, battery materials, or strategic materials processing.
• Experience with focused ion beam (FIB) sample preparation.
• Experience with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization.
• Knowledge of corrosion, coatings, extractive metallurgy, powder processing, or recycling technologies.
• Experience using image analysis and data science tools such as Python, MATLAB, ImageJ, or machine learning methods.
• The ideal candidate will have demonstrated capability in several of the following:
  • SEM imaging and analytical microscopy
  • EDS elemental mapping and quantification
  • EBSD crystallographic characterization
  • Quantitative metallography
  • Sample mounting, sectioning, grinding, polishing, and etching
  • Critical minerals characterization
  • Materials processing and development
  • Data analytics and image processing

GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

Relocation Assistance Provided:
Yes

For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $89,300.00 and $. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of…