Microwave Catalysis Scientist
**Description**
Leidos currently has an opening for a Microwave Catalysis Scientist to join our research support team in Morgantown, WV in supporting the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), a U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) national laboratory (https://netl.doe.gov). This is an opportunity to conduct research with world-class scientists and engineers using state of the art equipment, contributing to new areas of applied research to enhance the nation’s energy security and protect the environment for future generations.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory is a multi-disciplinary, scientific and technical-oriented national laboratory. NETL produces technological solutions for America’s energy challenges to support home-grown energy initiatives, stimulate a growing economy, and improve the health, safety, and security of all Americans. Highly skilled professionals at three NETL research sites – Albany, OR, Morgantown, WV, and Pittsburgh, PA – conduct a broad range of research activities that support DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.
This position will work with the microwave catalyst research team in Morgantown, WV to support the development of mixed metal oxide catalysts for hydrocarbon conversion reactions using microwave and other electromagnetic reactor systems. The candidate will perform catalyst synthesis using wet chemistry techniques and relevant characterization such as dielectric properties, XRD, XPS, SEM, FTIR etc. to characterize the novel catalysts. The candidate will perform model reactions in microwave reactors, starting from the benchtop systems up to the sophisticated scale-up reactors in our facility at NETL Morgantown. This work is in support of a new project on polymer recycling using microwave processes.
Primary Responsibilities:
+ Collaborate with the principal investigator (PI), other researchers, engineering and support staff to accomplish project-related tasks.
+ Perform research in the field of microwave catalysis, specifically:
+ Develop new in-situ characterization methods and protocols to identify reaction mechanisms under microwave environment, using FTIR, SSITKA, Raman spectroscopy.
+ Catalyst and materials synthesis and coating using various techniques (e.g. Pechini, insipient wetness).
+ Measure dielectric properties of catalyst materials.
+ Generate test plans for catalysis, working closely with lab operators.
+ Data analysis and characterization using Raman, XRD, XPS, electron microscopy, FTIR, BET and others.
+ Present results to the research team and the broader scientific community through participation in project meetings, conferences and peer-reviewed manuscript writing.
+ Contribute ideas for future research planning and proposal writing.
Required Education & Experience:
+ PhD degree in engineering, chemistry or physics with 1+ year relevant experience.
+ A proven track record in research dissemination in the form of conference presentations (oral or poster), and publications in relevant, peer-reviewed journals.
+ Hands-on experience in developing catalysts in the following research areas: natural gas conversion, waste plastics processing, biomass conversion to value added products.
+ Experience in handling, troubleshooting and operating a microwave reactor for chemical synthesis, with background understanding in the development and design of microwave reactors.
+ Knowledge of microwave-material interactions and understanding reaction mechanisms under electromagnetic/microwave heating conditions.
+ Ability to meet the requirement for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.
Preferred Qualifications:
+ Experience in slurry chemistry and coating processes.
+ Experience working onsite in a national laboratory environment.
+ Polymer chemistry experience, specifically polyolefins and polyurethanes.
+ Project experience in waste plastics conversion, carbon conversion to jet fuels, jet fuel or aviation fuel chemistry experience.
Salary Range for this position is $95K to $100K
**Original Posting Date:**
2024-11-25
While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
**Pay Range:**
Pay Range $81,250.00 - $146,875.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
REQNUMBER: R-00148895
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.