Leidos is seeking a Materials Scientist to join our team in Albany, OR to work with a distributed, multidisciplinary team in advancing understanding of hydrogen damage of additively manufactured (AM) Ni-based superalloys for hydrogen-powered turbine applications relevant to service to industry partners.  The candidate should possess knowledge of and practical experience with conducting research on microstructure-property relationships of AM alloys used in structural applications. The position will be on-site research and development support for the NETL R&D facility in Albany, OR. This work will involve a multi-disciplinary, scientific, and technically-oriented national laboratory team of scientists and engineers that produce technological solutions for America’s energy challenges. From developing creative innovations and efficient energy systems, to advancing technologies that produce, transport, and utilize hydrogen and other fuels, NETL research is providing breakthroughs and discoveries that support an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future and drive a robust economy and national security.  

Primary Responsibilities:

• Perform slow strain rate and fatigue crack tests in hydrogen environments on AM Ni-based superalloys using in-situ testing equipment at NETL.
• Determine failure and deformation mechanisms associated with hydrogen embrittlement and hydrogen attack.
• Characterize microstructures using advanced techniques (SEM, EDS, XRD, EBSD, EPMA (microprobe), TEM). 
• Use computational simulation methods (e.g. CALPHAD, diffusion simulations, and/or related software) to predict phase equilibria, kinetic phase information/compositions with thermal history and solidification behavior.
• Perform mechanical testing, heat treatment studies, and phase stability studies as needed
• Write technical reports outlining results of lab testing

Required Education, Experience & Other:

• PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgy or related field.  
• Experience characterizing microstructures of structural materials using advanced techniques (SEM, EDS, XRD, EBSD, and potentially EPMA, TEM). 
• Ability to produce technical reports, journal articles, prepare and present at professional conferences.  
• Understand processing-microstructure-property relationships in nickel alloys. 
• Knowledge of deformation of materials, with emphasis on hydrogen embrittlement and attack
• Knowledge of environmental interaction with turbine materials
• Knowledge of phase formation in alloys
• Knowledge of mechanical properties and testing of alloys, especially for evaluating hydrogen embrittlement and attack  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision, and ability to work effectively as a part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment and interact with people with a variety of expertise.
• Must be able to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus. 
• U.S. Citizen. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with advanced characterization of structural alloys (microstructure, grain structure, phase identification, deformation).
• Expertise in diffusional processes associated with failure cause by environmental and/or hydrogen damage in structural alloys
• Background in additive manufacturing processing of alloys used in structural applications
• Knowledge of alloy and component development of Ni-based superalloys
• Knowledge of hydrogen embrittlement and other hydrogen/material interactions.
• Experience with performing SEM/EDS/EBSD characterization and analysis.
• Experience with data analysis relating processing-microstructure-property relationships for structural materials. 
• Excellent record of peer-reviewed quality publications with emphasis on microstructure characterization of nickel and iron alloys, including those exposed to hydrogen environments.  

Salary Range for this specific position: $95K to $105K

Original Posting Date:

2024-09-12

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 only and 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.