Research Scientist – Physical Organic Chemistry and Materials Characterization

Worker Type Regular

Job Description AV is seeking an entry-level Research Scientist to join our multidisciplinary team at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The Polymers and Responsive Materials Team is seeking a highly versatile and computationally-fluent scientist to work at the intersection of Physical Organic Chemistry and Materials Physics.

This role is designed for a researcher who thrives on applying advanced analytical toolkits, ranging from AI/ML to advanced spectroscopy techniques, across a diverse portfolio of research initiatives.

As a key member of our lab, you will not be siloed into a single project. Instead, you will provide the digital-first characterization and mechanistic evaluation necessary to advance materials discovery for extreme environments, bio-inspired elastomers, and autonomous laboratory workflows.

You will drive the characterization and data-driven analysis for several high-impact research areas, including:

  • Space Survivability: Investigating how extreme stressors, such as atomic oxygen and ionizing radiation, interact with and degrade organic surfaces.
  • Hierarchical Materials: Mapping the nanostructure and self-assembly of peptide-based synthetic rubbers and hybrid polymers.
  • Closed-Loop Discovery: Integrating laboratory hardware with AI/ML optimization to automate the discovery of resilient, functional materials.
Primary Responsibilities
  • Advanced Spectroscopy: Use XPS, FTIR, and NMR to identify molecular-level degradation pathways.
  • Structural Physics: Design and execute experiments at synchrotron facilities using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS) to probe the morphology of soft matter.
  • Digital Integration: Leverage Python to automate data processing from complex analytical instruments and implement AI/ML models for performance prediction.
  • Mechanical Characterization: Correlate chemical changes with macro-scale performance through DMA, tensile testing, and rheological analysis.
  • Hardware Innovation: Modify or build experimental hardware interfaces using open-source tools to enable automated, high-throughput characterization.
Requirements
  • This position requires working within a government facility and requires U.S. Citizenship
  • Education: MS or PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field with 0-1 years of experience
  • Digital Proficiency: Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis, modeling, or laboratory automation.
  • Analytical Depth: Expertise in spectroscopy and a strong foundational understanding of physical organic chemistry or polymer physics.
  • Experience with X-ray or neutron scattering (or a strong desire to lead beamline experiments), preferred
  • Familiarity with the physics of elastomers, rubbers, or soft matter, preferred
  • Demonstrated interest in Machine Learning or Bayesian optimization as applied to physical sciences, preferred
  • Understanding of polymer degradation mechanisms in response to oxidation or radiation, preferred
This is a pipeline requisition posted in advance of approved headcount for future hiring needs. Note: Our team is always interested in speaking with exceptional candidates though please note this is a Pipeline posting with more of an eye towards our future needs rather than necessarily being an immediate hire. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. ITAR Requirement This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR.

A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR

  • 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
Benefits : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits. We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a glob

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...