Critical Materials Crossroads Scientist - Office of Strategic Innovation

About the role

The Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) Scientist serves as a technical research professional supporting the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Critical Materials Crossroads Engine, its regional innovation ecosystem, and additional projects funded outside of the NSF. The position conducts and coordinates use-inspired research and development focused on critical minerals, critical materials, and the processes, technologies, and manufacturing systems needed to strengthen a domestic critical materials supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, analyze, and document laboratory, pilot-scale, computational, field, or manufacturing-relevant experiments, ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and timely delivery of project milestones.

• Collaborate with academic, industry, government, nonprofit, and workforce partners to define technical requirements, solve multidisciplinary problems, and advance shared research objectives.

• Advance promising technologies from research toward validation, scale-up, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, or other pathways to practical application and regional economic impact.

• Prepare and communicate technical findings through reports, presentations, publications, sponsor updates, proposals, and other research products for both technical and nontechnical audiences.

• Maintain safe, compliant, and effective research operations, including appropriate stewardship of research data, equipment, facilities, confidential information, and sponsor or university requirements.

• Contribute to CMC workforce development and ecosystem-building activities by mentoring students and research personnel, supporting experiential learning, and connecting research capabilities with emerging technical skill needs.

• Track research progress, technical risks, performance measures, and resource needs; communicate issues promptly and recommend evidence-based adjustments to research plans and priorities.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in related/ relevant area and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• Ability to hold and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline and demonstrated experience in critical materials research, applied research and development, technology translation, or collaborative industry-focused research is preferred.

Benefits

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $65,000 to $85,000 annually. Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Schedule

This position is 100% grant funded and contingent on continued funding.