Research Scientist III

Technology Service Corporation (TSC) is seeking a Research Scientist III located at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC.

The candidate will be responsible for the design, research and development of advanced high temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) to address technical materials challenges applicable to supersonic and hypersonic, and exo-atmospheric aerospace vehicles, to include spacecraft, atmospheric re-entry vehicles, glide and rocket propelled vehicles, and air-breathing missiles and aircraft. Specific synthesis activities include polymer infiltration and pyrolysis, chemical vapor infiltration and reactive melt-infiltration techniques. Characterization activities include mechanical testing and oxidation testing. Emphasis will be on elevating the TRL and MRL of these materials. The candidate is also encouraged to explore other near-net shaping techniques and requisite chemistries for ceramic materials/structures of interest. Specific applications include thermal control surfaces for spacecraft, morphing hypersonic vehicle structures and control surfaces, engine inlet and internal surfaces, vehicle leading edges with embedded thermal control devices, and other vehicle regions and components which may benefit from elevated temperature materials. The candidate will operate both as a materials engineer and as a member of an engineering team dedicated to the design of advanced vehicle systems. The candidate will collaborate and work closely with experts in the fields of ultra-high temperature ceramics, spacecraft design, hypersonic aerodynamics and combustion, aerospace vehicle structure design and analysis, thermal management system design, materials engineering, and aerospace vehicle system engineering. The candidate will also leverage the vast materials engineering expertise of NRL and the broader ceramics community, and makes maximum practical use of existing NRL materials engineering research facilities and subject matter experts, forming and conducting partnerships with other NRL codes as appropriate. The candidate will provide regular technical progress summaries to the Spacecraft Engineering Division and NRL management, and routinely share results among NRL peers and partners. Technical progress towards program objectives takes priority, however the candidate will publish in peer-reviewed journals, NRL reports and memos, conference proceedings, and other forums as major contributing author where appropriate, considering the sensitivity of the subject matter. The candidate will also publish results on the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC). The candidate will participate in professional and technical societies relating to the fields of materials engineering and aerospace vehicle development, and participate in conferences and symposia to the maximum extent practical. The candidate will be responsible for outreach to current and potential customers and actively pursues business development through established relationships. The candidate will support existing programs, independently develop new research topics and proposes those efforts to current and potential NRL customers as well as the NRL Base Program and NISE activities. The candidate will be supported by division management in the preparation of said proposals to ensure resource availability and proper alignment of the research to division and DoD needs. As a Principal Investigator, the candidate may provide project budgets, schedules, and resource requirements to NRL government employees, and provide regular technical and financial statuses to NRL management and customers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

1. Ability to lead, perform, and support fundamental and applied studies and analyses, as well as expand to new fields of expertise, to develop material level needs derived from aerospace vehicle performance requirements using a combination of literature research, system requirement analysis, modeling and simulation tools, and other resources as applicable.

2. Familiarity with high temperature ceramics, ceramic matrix composites and the synthesis, and testing techniques used in the development and evaluation of these materials to include design of experiments, high temperature environmental exposures, and exploration of structure-property relationships through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, optical microscopy, sputter coating, metallography, ceramography, ion milling, focused ion beam milling, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, electron backscatter diffraction, and other accepted techniques.

3. Ability to learn and apply new skills and synthesis techniques in pursuit of overall SED mission, e.g. chemical vapor infiltration, polymer infiltration and pyrolysis, and hybrid processing techniques.

4. Ability to effectively prepare and deliver technical reports and presentations, and communicate key scientific, theoretical, and analytical concepts across the spectrum of audience technical aptitude.

6. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing

7. Ability to obtain DoD SECRET clearance (candidates with clearance strongly preferred)

Experience:

1-5 years' experience in high temperature material science research (including dissertation research)

Education:

Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering or related degree

TSC Benefits:

TSC offers a stable work environment, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefit package; including Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) participation, 401k Plan, Flexible Work Schedules, Tuition Reimbursement, Co-Sponsored Health Plan, Paid Leave and much more.TSC is a growing organization with unlimited opportunity!

Applying to TSC:

Only those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted. Employment at TSC is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check, security investigation, and a drug screening.

TSC is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing information about compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.