R&D Associate Staff - Advanced Manufacturing of Refractory Metals

About the position

We are seeking an Associate Staff Scientist who will focus on the processing and process development of high temperature metallic powder feedstocks. In addition, a knowledge of powder feedstock processing through advanced manufacturing (AM) processing modalities such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP), directed energy deposition, laser powder bed, or electron beam melting with a focus on energy applications are desired. Research will focus on applying the fundamental knowledge garnered from traditional high temperature metal processing such as powder metallurgy or electron beam zone melting to aid in the development of novel refractory metals to enable next generation energy system advancements. This position resides in the Deposition Science and Technology Group in the Manufacturing Science Division, Energy Sciences Technology Directorate (ESTD) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). As part of our research team, you will be among team members based at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF), the Department of Energy's (DOE's) first facility established to provide affordable and convenient access to R&D expertise, facilities, and tools to facilitate rapid adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies including additive manufacturing of alloys and composites. Additive manufacturing of high temperature materials such as refractory or nickel-base superalloys metals presents a new opportunity for these difficult to process materials. The selected candidate will work directly with the team to execute technical programmatic goals, while developing new research directions. Further, the candidate will perform fundamental research to improve powder feedstock manufacturing through alloy design, selection, and processing through. Further, the candidate will collaborate with staff researchers to develop the processing science for these novel refractory materials for establishing process-structure-property relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic scientific and technical leadership in the area of high temperature metals for additive manufacturing.
• Contribute to new and ongoing research in powder bed additive manufacturing of high temperature metals.
• Contribute to novel solutions to problems of national interest, and to the research and development necessary for the deployable implementation of those solutions.
• Represent ORNL's scientific capabilities through participation on national scientific committees, leadership in professional organizations, and presentation of research concepts and accomplishments to national audiences at all levels (scientific organizations, collaborators, funding agencies, etc.).
• Work within ORNL teams to develop requirements and proposals, conduct research, and produce working prototypes for demonstration.
• Contribute to peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and proposals for internal and external release, and represent ORNL science and technology at conferences and workshops.
• Contribute to invention disclosures, transition of ORNL research to commercial use, market research, and industry/government activities to enable ORNL science and technology use in practice.
• 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.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, welding engineering, or a directly related field.
• A minimum of 2 years of post-PhD experience in R&D and scientific leadership.

Nice-to-haves

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in R&D and scientific leadership.
• Excellent record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate to an international, scientific audience.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Benefits

• Medical and retirement plans
• Flexible work hours
• On-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities
• 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