R&D Associate Staff Member - Sustainable Composites Characterization at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, Tennessee

Job Description:

Requisition Id5937

PURPOSE:

We are seeking an R&D Associate staff member in the area of sustainable manufacturing whose primary focus will be utilization of composite systems after their main use including but not limited to recycling and recovery of polymer and fillers. You will also conduct research on development and processing of polymer-based composite systems and chemical modification of polymer resins and fibrillar materials in addition to plastic recovery-recycling and utilization of conversion gases. You are alsoexpected to design and set up equipment for the experiments. Knowledge and experience in both size reduction (shredding and granulating), reprocessing (extrusion and pelletziation), and chemical recycling and upcycling is desired. This position resides in the Advanced Composites Manufacturing Group in the Manufatcuring Science Division (MSD), Energy Science and Technology Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

You will be expected to simultaneously execute multiple projects, contribute to development of new initiatives in your area, interact with ORNL staff, industry and academic partners.

OVERVIEW:

Our research team carries out high quality R&D focused on the strategic composite material needs of the aerospace, automotive, and marine/shipbuilding industries as well as trending areas of international composite research in material science, mechanical and chemical engineering, and automation. While high quality scientific research is our priority, due to applied nature of our research scaling up is crucial for our success. Of special interest to our group is the reuse/reutilization (recovery and recycling) of polymer composites and their reuse in different processes such as large scale additive manufacturing and other extrusion-based processes. The successful candidate will lead and support research in novel recovery-recycling methods for plastics; develop and optimize processes for size reduction and to design and assemble reactors for plastic conversion; conduct thermal-mechanical characterization and modification experiments of fiber reinforced polymers; publish original peer reviewed research articles; develop intellectual properties, and supervise students/interns.

You will be a team memberbased at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF), the Department of Energy's (DOE) 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) to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. workforce. The MDF is designed to reduce technical risk and support the business case for private investment in new production technologies that will reduce life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas emissions, lower production cost, and build new products and job opportunities.

MAJOR DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Utilize polymer and composite engineering as well as chemistry for creating novel methods of plastic recycling and upcycling


• Develop and optimize composite size reduction solutions


• Utilize chipped recycled composites for large scale additive manufacturing or other extrusion-based process


• Recover fibers from end of use composites


• Utilize the generated gases from plastic recovery process


• Design, develop and characterize polymer composites structures


• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner


• Write invention disclosures and patents


• Work coherently as a part of team and help to team goals and work with other team members


• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality program requirements


• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• A PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering or a related discipline. Experience with composites, polymer processing, recovery, and recycling.


• A record of productive and creative research proven by publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or conference presentations

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with reactor design and assembly for thermochemical conversion process


• Experience with analytical characterization techniques such as DSC, FTIR, TGA, DMA, EDS, XRD, SEM


• Experience with surface modification and chemical treatment of glass and carbon fibrillar materials and with common polymer resin chemistries


• Experience with compounding, fabricating, and characterizing polymer composites


• Experience with hydrogen separation techniques from reformed syngas and natural gas streams


• An 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 in English to an international scientific audience


• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative and frequently interacting teams of researchers


• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.