Technical Professional - Polymer Characterization

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

Generous Vacation and Holidays

Educational Assistance

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a Technical Professional specializing in sustainable manufacturing and polymer characterization. You will manage laboratory spaces, operate equipment, and contribute to interdisciplinary research projects.

The role demands strong project management and communication skills, along with a commitment to safety and ethical standards in research. Ideal candidates hold a relevant BS degree and have 2+ years of experience in a laboratory setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of relevant experience in a research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely and effectively in a multidisciplinary R&D setting.
• Experience as a laboratory space manager or safety officer.

Responsibilities

• Operate and support a variety of characterization techniques.
• Prioritize multiple research projects.
• Design and execute experiments for material characterization.

Skills

Polymer characterization

Materials processing

Project management

Communication skills

Education

BS in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

DSC

FTIR

TGA

DMA

XRD

Twin-screw extruders

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Technical Professional in the area of sustainable manufacturing with expertise in managing polymer characterization and processing laboratory space as well as interest or experience in materials formulation and materials processing/manufacturing. As part of this role, the candidate will be tasked to lead the management, development, maintenance, and repair of a variety of characterization equipment as well as the management of project timelines, execution of project tasks, and reporting of research findings. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working across interdisciplinary teams of people with multiple areas of expertise and designing experiments to answer specific research questions. The candidate will need to have familiarity with different types of materials including polymers and will need to be comfortable in chemical laboratory spaces. The candidate should be self-driven and have a vested interest in keeping equipment running and managing/prioritizing projects to meet deliverables. The candidate will be expected to simultaneously execute multiple projects, contribute to development of new initiatives in their area, interact with ORNL staff, industry, and academic partners. This position resides in the Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies Group in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD) of the Energy Science and Technology Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Our research team carries out high quality R&D focused on the sustainable composite manufacturing for applications in aerospace, automotive, and marine/shipbuilding industries, as well as trending areas of international composite research in material science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and automation. As part of our research team, the candidate will serve to characterize a variety of materials, including polymers, composites, metals, and others. The candidate must have experience developing procedures for equipment usage, serving as the main user for that equipment, and keeping equipment running with regular maintenance and repairs. The successful candidate will support research in a variety of areas and support staff in publishing original peer‑reviewed research articles.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Operate and support characterization techniques such as DSC, FTIR, TGA, DMA, TMA, XRD, rheology, twin‑screw extruders, and electron and optical microscopy
• Prioritizing multiple research projects at once to meet strategic goals and deliverables
• Serve as laboratory space manager to ensure safety and orderly operation of a research area
• Design and execute experiments to characterize new, innovative materials for a variety of properties
• Support team goals and work with other team members
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality program requirements
• Maintain strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications

• BS in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial and/or Systems Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Sustainability, or a related discipline.
• Minimum two years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated ability to work safely and effectively in a multidisciplinary R&D environment.
• Experience as a laboratory space manager or a laboratory safety officer
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial and/or Systems Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering, Sustainability, or a related discipline.
• Motivated self‑starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative and frequently interacting teams of researchers
• Ability to function well in a fast‑paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

Special Requirements

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post‑employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three‑year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Benefits

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts

Equal Opportunity Employment

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT‑Battelle is an E‑Verify employer.