Materials Scientist

The Extreme Light Matter and Fusion Directorate (LMF) formerly the NIF & Photon Science Directorate is seeking a Materials Scientist to support the characterization processing and integration of glasses crystals ceramics coatings and other inorganic optical materials used in laser components and optical systems. The successful candidate will contribute to materials development and evaluation for high-power and high-energy laser applications.

This position will work within an interdisciplinary research and development environment and collaborate with scientists engineers technicians and industrial partners. The selected candidate will perform materials characterization optical metrology optical processing and opto-mechanical assembly while supporting assigned laboratory capabilities and instrumentation.

In this role you will

• Contribute to the development in new materials including chemical physical mechanical structural thermal and optical properties and characterize glasses crystals ceramics coatings and other optical materials used in laser and optical systems.
• Work under general direction following established procedures to inspect installed optics for optical damage and obtain samples for off-line metrology and materials analysis.
• Participate in the wet-bench processing of optics and samples including cleaning etching surface preparation and application of treatments to optical components.
• Apply characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy spectroscopy microscopy surface characterization optical metrology and other relevant methods and analyze and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical computational and data-analysis tools.
• Participate in the opto-mechanical assembly including precision optical bonding and related component-integration activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.2 level

• Contribute to research on the interaction of materials with light including optical absorption and laser-induced damage Characterize material failure mechanisms associated with mechanical stress environmental exposure processing defects and optical damage.
• Under limited direction synthesize coating materials for specialized optical and laser applications and establish and maintain operating procedures for assigned laboratory equipment exploring a variety of approaches within established methods.
• Prepare patents and peer-reviewed publications both internally and externally.
• Serve as an Instrument Owner for assigned laboratory equipment and prepare technical reports experimental plans procedures and presentations.

Qualifications :

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Fundamental knowledge with materials characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy spectroscopy microscopy surface characterization and optical metrology.
• Fundamental knowledge with wet-bench processing e.g. chemical treatment cleaning etching or surface preparation of optics and samples.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills including experience preparing technical reports publications and presentations.
• Familiarity with cleanroom practices contamination control chemical safety and the handling of hazardous materials.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with peers.

Additional qualifications at the SES.2 level

• Comprehensive knowledge of materials science concepts including the chemical physical mechanical structural and optical properties of materials demonstrating full competency.
• Broad experience and demonstrated ability to perform independent work including independently planning and executing research in a laboratory environment while working effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
• Broad application of materials science principles theories concepts and techniques in addition to working knowledge of related fields such as laser-material interactions laser-induced damage thermal effects optical absorption scattering and material failure mechanisms.
• Broad experience developing synthesizing processing or improving optical materials and coatings including evaluation of coating performance.
• Broad experience establishing and maintaining procedures for laboratory equipment and instrumentation and recommending process improvements as appropriate.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information including preparing patents and peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to independently learn and apply new materials-characterization methods tools and technical concepts and to establish effective working relationships with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master of Science degree in Materials Science or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience with optical inspection optical-damage assessment and off-line metrology of installed or test optics.
• Experience operating maintaining or serving as an Instrument Owner for laboratory equipment.
• Strong analytical skills including data interpretation experimental design uncertainty assessment and use of modeling or data-analysis tools.
• Experience developing and applying techniques relevant to materials science.
• Experience with optical coatings and coating-performance evaluation.
• Experience developing standard operating procedures laboratory work instructions calibration plans and equipment qualification records.
• Record of publications patents presentations or other technical contributions in materials science or laser technology.
• Demonstrated experience characterizing the chemical physical mechanical structural and optical properties of materials and developing synthesizing processing or improving optical materials including knowledge of laser-material interactions laser-induced damage thermal effects optical absorption scattering and material failure mechanisms.

Pay Range

$121830 - $185544 Annually

$121830 - $154500 Annually for the SES.1 level

$146340 - $185544 Annually for the SES.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to specific competencies relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills seniority geographic location performance and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information :

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

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• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
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  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time