Materials Scientist

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Material Scientist role in Utica, NY focuses on developing and refining separation and purification of rare metals from mining materials and semiconductor recycling streams.

You will conduct laboratory and pilot-scale trials, characterize materials, and prepare technical reports while collaborating with manufacturing teams to transfer technology to production and support cost analyses.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of industry experience in Gallium and/or Germanium.
• Experience with ICP, thermal analysis, SEM, and pH meters.

Responsibilities

• Research and improve rare-metal separation and purification processes for Ga and Ge.
• Plan and execute lab- and pilot-scale trials.
• Characterize materials using laboratory instrumentation.
• Prepare technical reports documenting methods, results, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers on applications and process improvements.
• Support tech transfer from development to production and cost analyses.
• Contribute to quality management systems and customer-focused processes.

Skills

Lab techniques

Data analysis

Technical reporting

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Materials Science or related field

Tools

ICP instrumentation

Thermal analysis equipment

SEM

pH meters

Job description

Material Scientist- Permanent Position- Utica, NY

Looking for Material Scientist with experience supporting research and development of processes for separating and purifying rare metals from mining materials, impure compounds, and semiconductor recycling streams. Skilled in laboratory and pilot-scale trials, material characterization, technical reporting, and collaboration with manufacturing teams.

Experience

• Conduct research to develop and improve rare-metal separation and purification processes specifically for Gallium and/or Germanium.
• Plan and execute laboratory- and pilot-scale trials to evaluate proof of concept and process performance.
• Characterize materials and assess physical and chemical properties using laboratory instrumentation.
• Prepare clear technical reports documenting experimental methods, results, and recommendations for management and company records.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to evaluate applications, process improvements, and commercialization opportunities.
• Support technology transfer from development into production and contribute to process cost models, profitability assessments, and return-on-investment analyses.
• Contribute to the implementation and continuous improvement of quality management systems and customer-focused processes.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• 1-2 years of relevant industry experience in Gallium and/or Germanium. Technical equipment experience: ICP laboratory instrumentation; thermal analysis equipment; SEM; pH meters.