Chemistry and Materials Science Technologist/Senior Technologist

We have an opening for a Chemistry and Materials Science Technologist/Senior Technologist. You will provide general technical support for new and ongoing programmatic activities, primarily involving polymer materials. Working independently or collaboratively, you will prepare and characterize materials, operate equipment, conduct system testing, and support related laboratory activities. Responsibilities may include executing experiments; collecting, analyzing, and reporting data; managing hazardous, radioactive, and other materials and waste; setting up, troubleshooting, and maintaining equipment; and maintaining good housekeeping in laboratory and office areas. Some tasks may require the use of respiratory protection equipment. You will be assigned to the Plastics Group within the Materials and Nondestructive Evaluation Section, Materials Engineering Division, Engineering Directorate. Your primary assignment will be in the Polymer Characterization work center.
This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work that may require occasional overtime and travel.
This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.
You will
Provide solutions to moderately complex technical problems under general supervision.
Provide technical analysis and processing support for material sampling, sample preparation, testing, and characterization, primarily involving polymers.
Operate and maintain thermal analysis, rheological, mechanical testing, and other materials characterization equipment, as well as gloveboxes and fume hoods.
Track equipment calibrations and support routine maintenance activities.
Maintain system documentation and experimental records, including laboratory notebooks, experimental setups, data analyses, reports, and presentations.
Identify, troubleshoot, and help resolve technical and operational issues.
Apply knowledge of chemistry and materials science to material preparation and testing, including formulation, compounding, casting, molding, and powder processing.
Collaborate with customers and team members to support testing requirements, meet established schedules, and communicate results, technical issues, and schedule changes.
Follow written operating and safety procedures in accordance with Environment, Safety, and Health, security, and other Laboratory requirements and policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities, at the 504.3 level
Provide advanced solutions to complex technical problems under minimal supervision.
Apply advanced knowledge of chemistry and materials science technologies to interpret requirements, evaluate processes, and analyze results.
Serve in a technical lead role, as assigned, including establishing priorities, schedules, and requirements.
Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Associate degree in chemistry, materials science and engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Elementary understanding of chemistry, materials science, and engineering technologies as applied to specific applications.
Intermediate-level skills and experience operating chemistry, materials science, and shop equipment.
Knowledge of scientific instrument maintenance, calibration, and measurement practices.
Effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience using personal computers and Microsoft Office applications to organize data and prepare reports.
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and maintain organized records and work areas.
Additional qualifications at the 504.3 level
Advanced understanding of chemistry and materials science technologies as applied to methods for measuring physical properties.
Advanced skills and experience operating chemistry and materials science equipment.
Experience maintaining and calibrating scientific instruments and performing measurements using those instruments.
Ability to perform basic statistical analyses and identify trends in data generated by test instruments.
Qualifications We Desire
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science and engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Experience characterizing polymers using thermal analysis, rheology, mechanical testing, microscopy, or particle characterization techniques.
Familiarity with standardized test methods and material properties, including compression set, load retention, glass transition, density, and hardness.
Experience working with HEPA systems, fume hoods, and gloveboxes.
Experience with statistical data analysis and software such as computer-aided design tools, MATLAB, Minitab, KaleidaGraph, Origin, or similar programming and data analysis software.
Experience using artificial intelligence tools to support data processing, scripting, workflow automation, or technical reporting, including evaluating generated outputs for accuracy.
Experience wearing respiratory protection equipment.
Pay Range
$43.55 - $63.97 Hourly
$43.55 - $53.36 Hourly for the 504.2 level
$52.23 - $63.97 Hourly for the 504.3 level
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No