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Polymer R&D - Research Scientist / Engineer
Physical Life Sciences | livermore, CA | 09/18/2023
Job Code: SES.3 Science & Engineering MTS 3
Organization: Physical and Life Sciences
Position Type: Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable
Company Description
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.
Pay Range
$148650.00 - $190932.00 Annually for the SES.3 level
Job Description
We have an opening for a Polymer R&D Scientist/Engineer to conduct activities in support of the surveillance enterprise and aging assessments for polymeric parts and materials, work as a subject matter expert (SME) in general polymer science, for issues such as polymer chemistry, characterization, processing, and mechanical properties, and activities in support of the timely and accurate manufacturing of polymeric parts. This position is in the Materials Science Division.
You will
- Characterize the chemical changes and degradations to engineering polymer materials, especially silicones, resulting from age, environment, and manufacturing process conditions.
- Serve as a primary technical point of contact for polymer material formulation, synthesis and processing for engineering applications.
- Participate in and provide guidance to accelerated aging and lifetime prediction activities of engineering polymer materials, including analysis of the causes of uncertainty and variance in polymer aging data.
- Participate in the management of scheduled production of polymer parts and to the assessment of the results of surveillance of such parts already in service.
- Collaborate in the development and revision of material and part requirements for various applications.
- Collaborate with scientists and engineers in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish program goals.
- Document research; document production processes and changes to production; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and report results to site system program management and the larger programmatic community within the DOE.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.
- PhD in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Advanced knowledge of the synthesis of polymer resins, in particular elastomer and thermoplastic elastomer resins, for engineering applications (e.g. silicones, nitriles, TPU).
- Advanced knowledge of structural characterization of both resins and polymer networks using techniques such as thermal analysis, swelling, spectroscopic methods, or similar.
- Significant experience with mechanical and/or rheological characterization both resin and polymer material properties, using, for example, techniques such as DMA, rotational rheometry, and/or load frame testing.
- Significant experience with polymer industrial production and processing methods, including scale up methods.
- In depth knowledge of development requirements/standards for part production, mechanical drawings, and production quality control, and careful documentation of same.
- Authorship of peer-reviewed literature demonstrating the capacity to independently develop and execute original research.
- Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability and willingness to self-direct and work independently, and to collaborate on multidisciplinary teams as required to reach research goals.
Qualifications We Desire
- Experience with polymer material additive manufacturing (AM), including synthesis of AM feedstock materials and/or actual AM fabrication processes.
- Experience with commercial gumstock and composite preparation processes such as roll mixing, intensive shear mixing, and/or extrusion.
- Knowledge of LLNL site and partner business practices and/or experience interfacing with same.
- Knowledge of one or more program sponsors and experience interfacing with same.
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
- Flexible Benefits Package
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
- Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
- Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement
Security Clearance
This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
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Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.
To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.
Reasonable Accommodation
Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
California Privacy Notice
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.
