Research Chemist

The Scaled Nanotechnology department at HRL develops new, multifunctional materials and coatings by controlling nano/micro-scale architecture. This tailors properties such as wetting, heat transfer, ice nucleation, surface adhesion, reaction thermodynamics, kinetics, color, and elasticity. The focus is on scalable processes to mature technologies from discovery to commercial products.

A successful candidate performs chemical reactions and polymerizations at benchtop and pilot-scale, working independently and on a team. Duties include setting up synthesis reactions in organic, sol-gel, polymer, and organometallic chemistry. They develop material processing for functional composites and document, analyze, and report results to the project manager.

The role involves operating analytical tools like DSC, FTIR, UV-VIS, SEM, and TGA, plus interpreting results. Additional tasks cover maintaining stocks and supplies, monitoring instrument calibration, and ensuring lab upkeep. Work occurs in a wet chemistry lab environment at the Malibu site for 40 hours per week.

Candidates exercise good lab practices, safe chemical handling, and clear result communication. The position supports rapid technology maturation using scalable methods. U.S. Person status is required to meet export control compliance.