Materials Research Technician: Metallography & Testing

University of Missouri - Columbia; New York (NY); On-site; USD 64,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Materials Research Technician at the University of Missouri conducts hands-on experiments in the new materials laboratory, preparing and testing specimens and keeping instruments running. The technician reports to the Materials Laboratory Director and works with the PIE Materials Scientist on day-to-day direction.

Responsibilities include metallographic prep, mechanical testing, SEM/EDS operation, data recording, and maintaining QA records while following ALARA and chemical hygiene

Qualifications

• BS in materials science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, or a related field.
• Hands-on laboratory experience, such as metallographic sample preparation, mechanical testing, or microscopy.
• Careful, documented work habits and the ability to follow detailed written procedures.

Responsibilities

• Specimen preparation (25%). Section, mount, grind, polish, and etch metallographic and microscopy specimens.
• Testing and characterization (35%). Run tensile and hardness tests, operate the SEM and related instruments.
• Laboratory operations (20%). Install/commission new equipment; maintain consumables and inventory.
• Data and documentation (10%). Record test data, perform first-level data reduction, maintain notebooks.
• Safety and compliance (10%). Follow radiation safety and chemical hygiene practices; waste handling.

Skills

Hands-on lab

Metallography

Mechanical testing

Microscopy

Education

BS in materials science

Metallurgy

Related field

Tools

SEM

EDS

Remote handling equipment

Job description

The Materials Research Technician at the University of Missouri conducts hands-on experiments in the new materials laboratory, preparing and testing specimens and keeping instruments running. The technician reports to the Materials Laboratory Director and works with the PIE Materials Scientist on day-to-day direction.

Responsibilities include metallographic prep, mechanical testing, SEM/EDS operation, data recording, and maintaining QA records while following ALARA and chemical hygiene