We have an opening for a Research Scientist to conduct basic and applied research on degradation, aging, and chemical compatibility of materials and related systems for a range of LLNL program areas that include materials for energetics, energy storage and conversion, and other national security applications. As an integral member of an interdisciplinary team, you will participate and lead research to investigate the degradation of materials in harsh environments, the effects of long-term chemical incompatibility, and interpret gas chemistry to fill knowledge gaps in time dependent changes in material performance for materials in complex systems. This position is in the Materials Science Division.

This position will be filled at either the SES.3 or SES.4 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

You will

• Provide technical leadership and solutions to defined problems in materials aging and compatibility research.
• Characterize the chemical changes and degradation to engineered materials, especially based on outgassing signatures resulting from age, environment, and manufacturing process conditions.
• Perform analysis of experimental data to identify aging trends and anomalies, chemical incompatibilities, and to extract relevant parameters required for material lifetime predictions.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for material outgassing and decomposition, degradation mechanisms and pathways, and chemical compatibility.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members in the design, analysis, and modeling of laboratory experiments and the development of new methods and procedures as required.
• Document research through presentations and written analyses including periodic reports, peer-reviewed journals, verbal briefings, and other products that capture and communicate research results within the DOE community and at open conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities at the SES.4 level

• Conceive, design, and oversee execution of research building a predictive capability using experimental data.
• Collaborate with technical area leaders, project leaders, and program management to represent technical capabilities and project results to internal management and external sponsors.
• Provide technical solutions to complex problems that are not well defined; direct and align work scope to meet evolving strategic program objectives; and independently address and resolve technical objectives.
• Serve as subject matter expert for material outgassing and decomposition, degradation mechanisms and pathways, and chemical compatibility for soft materials or energetic materials.