Materials Scientist 2 - Solid Phase Processing

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments called Directorates, each focused on a specific area of scientific research or function. The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s energy and environmental challenges, supporting the Department of Energy (DOE) in modernizing the power grid, advancing renewable energy and efficiency technologies, and resolving complex issues in nuclear science and environmental management.

The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates real-world solutions supporting DOE’s goals for national energy security. We deliver technologies connecting fundamental science to applications in energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, biomass conversions, carbon capture, hydrogen production, and more. Our systems perspective includes discovery, technology development, scale-up, and considerations for economic, regulatory, and market acceptance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hands-on research with solid phase processing (SPP) technologies, including friction stir-related methods, shear-assisted processing and extrusion (ShAPE), and/or cold spray.
• Operate and interface with processing equipment, collaborating with others to perform material characterization.
• Explore relationships between processing conditions, microstructure, and material performance.
• Develop material- and application-specific processing approaches, protocols, and parameters.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication and communicate research findings internally and externally.
• Span fundamental materials science to applied materials engineering, synthesizing and studying structures and properties of metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
• Perform characterization, modeling, or testing of materials to understand and improve their behavior or develop new materials with specific properties.
• Develop manufacturing, joining, finishing, treating, and strengthening processes for materials.
• Create computational models describing material structures, properties, and performance.
• Conduct research in physics, chemistry, materials science, metallurgy, manufacturing, corrosion science, or related fields.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience, or
• MS/MA, or
• PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in friction stir-related technologies, including processing, extrusion, deposition, or other high-temperature severe plastic deformation methods.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing process machinery.
• Ability to design or modify friction stir tools, fixtures, or equipment (e.g., using SolidWorks).
• Knowledge or experience in AI for materials and manufacturing solutions related to energy and strategic materials.
• Experience or collaboration in physical and mechanical metallurgy and corrosion performance of Fe- and Ni-based alloys or other high-melting-point materials.
• Experience with automation, robotics, advanced controls, or real-time quality analysis.
• Knowledge of electron microscopy techniques and mechanical testing methods.
• Expertise in interpreting and analyzing characterization data.
• Internships or experience in industrial organizations.
• Strong team player with the ability to conduct independent and interdependent research.
• Innovative problem-solving skills and strong analytic, task management, and communication abilities.
• Ability to deliver high-quality work meeting project and client expectations.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance, including a background investigation covering employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with references, neighbors, and co-workers.
• Compliance with drug testing requirements: pre-employment and random post-employment testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana (federal law applies).
• Demonstrated non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Flexible work schedules.

PNNL is located in eastern Washington State, known for its outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The campus is a 45-minute flight or ~3-hour drive from Seattle or Portland, serviced by the PSC airport with connections to 8 major hubs.