Research Scientist - Ceramist

GE Vernova; Elgin Township (IL); On-site; USD 89,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

GE Vernova is seeking a Scientist specializing in advanced ceramic materials and coating systems to design, optimize, and qualify next-generation ceramic coatings, with emphasis on thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The role integrates computational and experimental materials science to accelerate coating and alloy development.

The candidate will lead high-temperature testing programs, collaborate with GE Vernova teams, publish results, and contribute to future coating technologies and product

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline with 0 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to early-stage research in advanced ceramic coating systems, including TBCs and related coatings.
• Design and optimize coating chemistries for thermal stability and performance in extreme environments.
• Develop novel coating compositions for topcoats and bond coats for extreme turbine temperatures.
• Establish microstructure-property-performance relationships under cyclic thermal and mechanical loading.
• Evaluate degradation mechanisms like phase transformation and TGO evolution.
• Collaborate with process engineers to translate coating chemistry to scalable deposition methods (APS, SPS, EB-PVD, HVOF, VPS).

Skills

Ceramic materials

Ceramic chemistry

Coating design

Computational materials science

Modeling

Microscopy (SEM/TEM)

Education

PhD in Materials Science/Engineering

Tools

APS

SPS

EB-PVD

HVOF

VPS

CALPHAD/ICME tools

Job description

Job Description Summary

As a Scientist specializing in advanced ceramic materials and coating systems, the successful candidate will contribute to research and development efforts focused on the design, optimization, and qualification of next-generation ceramic coatings, with emphasis on thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems.

This role requires strong knowledge of ceramic materials, ceramic chemistry, coating architectures, high-temperature alloy systems, and degradation mechanisms in extreme environments. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of computational and experimental materials science to accelerate coating and alloy development through a combination of modeling, characterization, and laboratory-scale validation.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to early-stage research and applied initiatives in advanced ceramic coating systems, including thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) and related protective coatings such as abradable, low-friction, wear-resistant, anti-corrosion, and environmental barrier coatings.
• Design and optimize coating chemistries, including dopant selection, phase stabilization strategies, and compositional tailoring to enhance thermal stability, sintering resistance, toughness, and resistance to extreme environments.
• Develop novel coating compositions for topcoats and bond coat-compatible systems suitable for extreme turbine operating temperatures.
• Establish microstructure-property-performance relationships for coating systems under cyclic thermal and mechanical loading.
• Evaluate coating degradation mechanisms, including phase transformation, thermally grown oxide (TGO) evolution, sintering behavior, and environmental attack.
• Collaborate with process engineers to translate coating chemistry into scalable deposition methods (e.g., APS, SPS, EB-PVD, HVOF, VPS).
• Support technology development efforts in collaboration with GE Vernova businesses and research teams to advance future coating technologies and product roadmaps.
• Lead high-temperature testing programs, including thermal cycling, burner rig testing, oxidation testing, and environmental durability assessments.
• Drive innovation through publications, patents, and proposal development for internally and externally funded programs.
• Identify and develop collaborative relationships with academic institutions, national laboratories, industry partners, government agencies, and GE Vernova experts to maximize technical impact.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams including materials scientists, mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, modelers, and quality specialists.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline with 0 years of experience.
• 3+ years of experience in advanced ceramics, coatings, high-temperature alloys, computational materials science, or related materials technologies through doctoral research, publications, internships, or other relevant research experience.

Eligibility Requirements

• Due to the nature of the duties of this position, this role requires the individual to be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance. A prerequisite for a security clearance is U.S. Citizenship.
• Must be willing to work out of an office located in Niskayuna, NY.

Preferred Qualifications

• Designing and modifying ceramic coating chemistries.
• Phase equilibria, thermodynamics, and high-temperature kinetics of ceramic materials.
• High-temperature alloy design and behavior, including phase stability, oxidation resistance, creep, diffusion, and environmental degradation.
• High-temperature oxidation, corrosion, and environmental degradation mechanisms.
• Integrated computational and experimental approaches for advanced materials development, including CALPHAD, computational thermodynamics, materials informatics, machine learning, finite element modeling, or related tools.
• Bridging computational predictions with experimental validation to establish composition-process-microstructure-property-performance relationships in advanced materials systems.
• Strong background in microstructural characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, EBSD, EDS) and thermal/mechanical property evaluation.
• Practical knowledge of safety practices related to experimental design and laboratory operations.
• Experience working with coating deposition technologies relevant to turbine components.
• Research experience in ceramic coatings, high-temperature materials, thermal barrier coatings, environmental barrier coatings, or related advanced materials systems.
• Experience developing next-generation TBC chemistries beyond conventional systems, including strong understanding of thermodynamics, degradation kinetics, phase stability, and diffusion in high-temperature material systems.
• Familiarity with computational thermodynamics (CALPHAD), ICME methodologies, materials modeling, or materials informatics tools for materials design and optimization.
• Demonstrated research accomplishments through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, patents, collaborative research projects, or other scholarly achievements.
• Experience contributing to research proposals, fellowship applications, or externally funded research programs.
• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct research and communicate technical findings through publications, presentations, and technical reports.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.

GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes

For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $89,300.00 and $148,700.00. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set.

Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.

This posting is expected to remain open for at least seven days after it was posted on August 19, 2026.

Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off.

GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, "GE Vernova") sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.