Lead Scientist for Manufacturing of Composite Materials for Harsh Environments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, TN

Purpose

The Manufacturing Science Division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks to hire a scientific leader with an international reputation in composite materials for harsh environments. A comprehensive knowledge is essential to the position in order to develop, drive, and execute on both near- and long-range vision for manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments science and technology (S&T) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

You will be responsible for providing, and executing on, a strategic vision for advanced manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments S&T at ORNL. This includes building on existing research areas in carbon-carbon and ceramics manufacturing as well as thrust areas in additive manufacturing, data analytics, composites, machine tools, robotics, and digital manufacturing. Efforts will focus on aligning efforts between government agency research programs (e.g. Department of Energy, Department of Defense) and industry to help accelerate adoption of new manufacturing technologies as it relates to U.S. industry. You will likewise work with ORNL leadership and industry to leverage unique capabilities and existing investments in high performance computing, advanced materials and characterization as it relates to advanced manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments.

The range of research and programmatic activities will include:

• Develop and execute a strategic vision for advanced manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments.
• Support lab leadership and investigators on a variety of tasks related to the planning and implementation of collaborative projects between the laboratory, DOD, DOE and industry.
• Participate in the introduction and hosting of strategic partner agencies and companies.
• Work with government and business leaders to develop and communicate interests, needs and opportunities in manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments.
• Manage strategic workshops to identify challenges and industry needs in manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments.
• Recruit world leaders to help lead new thrust areas in manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments.
• Work with the program office, scientists/engineers, and Business Services to develop research scopes of work, identify benefits to the Department of Energy.
• Develop strategic partnerships with academia in complimentary research to current program initiatives.
• Communicate and publish the technical developments and benefits of manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments through presentations, tours, and meetings with industry, academia, and other federal organizations.
• Lead and serve on relevant boards and professional societies to help market and integrate ORNL capabilities with the greater community active in manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments.
• Mentor staff and assist with internal and external advancement of staff working in the area of manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments.
• Provide yearly overview of global trends in manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments to ensure strategic investments are aligned with national needs.
• Help direct the future opportunity and direction of manufacturing of composite materials for harsh environments research at ORNL.

Qualifications Required

You will be expected to collaborate and communicate well with material scientists, mechanical engineers, computer scientists, manufacturing experts, device manufacturers, machining experts, data scientists, and upper management, both internal to the laboratory and industrial partners, to translate business opportunities into technical challenges and research opportunities. Therefore, communication skills, both verbal and written, are important.