Research Scientist – Physical Organic Chemistry and Materials Characterization

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

 

AV is seeking an entry-level Research Scientist to join our multidisciplinary team at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The Polymers and Responsive Materials Team is seeking a highly versatile and computationally-fluent scientist to work at the intersection of Physical Organic Chemistry and Materials Physics. This role is designed for a researcher who thrives on applying  advanced analytical toolkits, ranging from AI/ML to advanced spectroscopy techniques, across a diverse portfolio of research initiatives.

As a key member of our lab, you will not be siloed into a single project. Instead, you will provide the digital-first characterization and mechanistic evaluation necessary to advance materials discovery for extreme environments, bio-inspired elastomers, and autonomous laboratory workflows.

You will drive the characterization and data-driven analysis for several high-impact research areas, including:

• Space Survivability: Investigating how extreme stressors, such as atomic oxygen and ionizing radiation, interact with and degrade organic surfaces.

• Hierarchical Materials: Mapping the nanostructure and self-assembly of peptide-based synthetic rubbers and hybrid polymers.

• Closed-Loop Discovery: Integrating laboratory hardware with AI/ML optimization to automate the discovery of resilient, functional materials.

 
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advanced Spectroscopy: Use XPS, FTIR, and NMR to identify molecular-level degradation pathways.

• Structural Physics: Design and execute experiments at synchrotron facilities using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS) to probe the morphology of soft matter.

• Digital Integration: Leverage Python to automate data processing from complex analytical instruments and implement AI/ML models for performance prediction.

• Mechanical Characterization: Correlate chemical changes with macro-scale performance through DMA, tensile testing, and rheological analysis.

• Hardware Innovation: Modify or build experimental hardware interfaces using open-source tools to enable automated, high-throughput characterization.

 
REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires working within a government facility and requires U.S. Citizenship

• Education: MS or PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field with 0-1 years of experience

• Digital Proficiency: Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis, modeling, or laboratory automation.

• Analytical Depth: Expertise in spectroscopy and a strong foundational understanding of physical organic chemistry or polymer physics.

• Experience with X-ray or neutron scattering (or a strong desire to lead beamline experiments), preferred

• Familiarity with the physics of elastomers, rubbers, or soft matter, preferred

• Demonstrated interest in Machine Learning or Bayesian optimization as applied to physical sciences, preferred

• Understanding of polymer degradation mechanisms in response to oxidation or radiation, preferred

This is a pipeline requisition posted in advance of approved headcount for future hiring needs.

Note: Our team is always interested in speaking with exceptional candidates though please note this is a Pipeline posting with more of an eye towards our future needs rather than necessarily being an immediate hire.  Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR.  A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

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