Materials Researcher

Air Force Research Laboratory; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB seeks a mid-level General Engineer, Materials Engineer, Physicist, or Chemist to research directed energy source materials and photonic materials. The role emphasizes synthesis, advanced metrology, lab safety, and technology transfer with SBIR and defense subcontracts.

Requires security clearances and government contracting experience. The position supports collaboration with academia, industry, and international partners, mentoring students,

Qualifications

• US Citizenship required.
• Current Secret clearance and ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI required.
• APDP Level/ Tier 2 (Practitioner) in Engineering & Technical Management or within 60 months of assignment required.
• Must meet DAWIA requirements applicable to the duties.
• Submit annual Confidential Financial Disclosure (OGE Form 450).
• Position may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length Term with possible extension or conversion.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize, fabricate, and characterize novel non-linear optical materials.
• Develop and maintain optical metrology capabilities.
• Oversee laboratory operations, safety, and equipment readiness.
• Collaborate with industry partners on SBIR and defense subcontracts.
• Interface with external academic, industry, and international partners for testing across wavebands.
• Mentor undergraduate researchers and communicate AFRL missions.
• Contribute to technical proposals, publications, and high-level briefings.

Skills

Nonlinear optics

Photophysics

Spectroscopy

Laser systems

Technical writing

Communication

Tools

Optical metrology equipment

Job description

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 5:00 PM EST, 2 September 2026.

Job Overview

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS

The AFRL Foundational Technology Directorate seeks to hire a motivated and experienced mid-level General Engineer (0801), Materials Engineer (0806), Physicist (1310), or Chemist (1320), or related Job Series specializing in Directed Energy source materials, non-linear optics, and advanced photophysical characterization to serve as a researcher in the Photonic Materials Branch (REEXPE) of the Photonic, Electronic & Soft Materials Division (REE) of the Foundational Technology Directorate (RE) in Air Force Research Laboratory. This position will be filled at the DR-02 level and is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

Position Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Material Innovation & Characterization: Synthesizes, fabricates, and compositionally/spectroscopically characterizes novel organic and inorganic non-linear optical materials as next-generation solutions for electromagnetic spectrum survivability applications.
• Advanced Metrology Development: Designs, establishes, and maintains critical optical metrology capabilities (including modulation transfer, bidirectional scattering distribution functions, and angle-resolved scattering) to improve material manufacturability and technological readiness.
• Laboratory Operations & Safety Management: Oversees day‑to‑day workflow, instrument upkeep, and rigorous safety protocols for advanced laser user facilities, including femtosecond and nanosecond pulsed source lasers.
• Technology Transfer & Contract Contribution: Works closely with industrial partners to transfer laboratory-scale technical knowledge to commercial scale, supporting active Phase II SBIR projects and evaluating development subcontracts to risk-reduce new material solutions.
• Strategic Collaboration: Interfaces and collaborates regularly with external academic, industry, and international defense partners to test and evaluate spectroscopic properties across mission-relevant wavebands.
• Mentorship & STEM Development: Directs, instructs, and mentors undergraduate research interns to cultivate future STEM talent and communicate the operational mission of AFRL.
• Technical Writing & Reporting: Contributes to core technical sections of large-scale contract proposals, authors high-impact peer-reviewed publications, and prepares/delivers high-level technical briefings to senior management and external advisory boards.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship.
• Must have a current Secret security clearance and be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Must have Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering & Technical Management or obtain within 60 months of assignment.
• Must meet, or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• Selectee is required to submit annual Confidential Financial Disclosure (OGE Form 450).
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
• This position may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length Term appointment (new government hires, current government term employees, etc.) with the option to later extend or convert to a permanent appointment.

Desired Qualifications

• Nonlinear Optics & Photophysics Expertise: Demonstrated mastery in the synthesis, fabrication, and photophysical characterization of organic/inorganic compounds, hybrid sol-gel glasses, and rare-earth-doped microcrystals for optical tracking and sensor protection.
• Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques: Thorough technical proficiency in absorption and luminescence spectroscopy, as well as time-resolved methods including nanosecond and ultrafast/femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy.
• Laser Systems Operations: Hands-on experience operating, troubleshooting, and configuring pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) laser systems, with specific expertise in managing laser user workflows and installing femtosecond pulsed source lasers.
• Optical Metrology Design: Proven capability to design, establish, and implement custom optical metrology setups, such as beam profiling, angle-resolved scattering, and modulation transfer functions to evaluate materials.
• Technology Transfer & Industrial Translation: Proven experience collaborating on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II projects or multi-million dollar defense subcontracts (e.g., IDIQ frameworks), successfully migrating benchtop discoveries to industry risk-reduction phases.
• Laboratory Safety Leadership: Documented success serving as a Laboratory Safety Officer or equivalent role, including writing standard operating procedures (SOPs), overhauling chemical hygiene plans, ensuring strict safety compliance, and managing chemical inventories.
• Communication & Dissemination Excellence: Exceptional written and oral communication skills, evidenced by a prolific record of scientific literature contributions and high-visibility presentations to management and external advisory boards.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Series

• 0801
• 0806
• 1310
• 1320

Additional Information

• Instructions on how to submit documents are provided in the automated email you will receive once you apply.
• NOTE: Must use MM/DD/YYYY date format for experience entries on a resume not to exceed two pages. Candidates with resumes longer than 2-pages will not be considered.
• For resume writing tips, facts about the federal hiring process and additional resources, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

Requisition Number 93201

Posting End Date

09/02/2026