Chief Materials Scientist - Magnetic Materials

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

About The Position

The Applied Materials and Manufacturing Group within the Energy Processes & Materials Division at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a Chief Materials Scientist to lead the technical direction and to advance research and development in magnetic materials for next-generation energy, electronics, and quantum technologies. This is an extraordinary opportunity to be part of a world-class, interdisciplinary research program that is pushing the envelope on next-generation functional materials manufacture for a variety of energy technology applications. PNNL’s research in this area seeks to understand the underpinning physics of soft and hard magnetic materials, subject to composition and various processing methods, and translate that understanding to application. An emphasis is on how emerging process technologies like Solid-Phase Processing (SPP) can be used to synthesize bulk materials with enhanced magnetic properties, while reducing or eliminating the need for rare-earth elements. This highly accomplished researcher has deep expertise in magnetic materials, functional materials, electrification technologies, and advanced manufacturing processes. The ideal candidate will lead research initiatives from mine-to-metal-to-functional devices, focusing on rare-earth and rare-earth-free magnets, soft and hard ferrites, and magnetic composites for power electronics and defense applications. As a Chief Scientist, you will provide technical leadership and expertise to existing research efforts and collaborate with stakeholders to define and shape future research programs. Working with research teams and other business leaders, in collaboration with partners in industry, academia, and at other national laboratories, you will lead efforts to build new, high-visibility research programs that leverage advanced concepts in ferromagnetic materials and SPP methods to meet the technology goals of the Department of Energy and other key stakeholders. This role requires a strong foundation in materials science, physics, and manufacturing operations, with demonstrated excellence in research and innovation. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a world-class interdisciplinary team driving innovation in magnetic materials design, synthesis, and application. Our research aims to understand the fundamental physics of magnetism and microstructural evolution in advanced materials and translate that knowledge into scalable manufacturing platforms for high-performance magnets and magnetic components. As a Chief Materials Scientist, you will also have significant responsibility for supporting the development and growth of the magnetic and functional materials capability at PNNL, including defining and validating new, stakeholder-relevant applications; proposing and advocating for strategic equipment acquisitions; recommending new hires; and mentoring junior to mid-career staff on the team. The successful candidate will have a clear reputation as a national expert in the design, processing, and application of ferromagnetic materials and demonstrate an understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the potential for innovative methods to enable the scalable manufacture of high-performance magnetics. They must be adept at translating Department of Energy and other stakeholder needs for advanced materials to funded research programs that effectively leverage PNNL capabilities to meet sponsor goals. They will be an accomplished communicator with a track record of delivering effective and compelling written and oral communications to a broad range of audiences. They will have demonstrated a high level of success in developing a research program and new research capabilities over the course of their career.

Requirements

BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant experience -OR-
MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR-
PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

PhD with 10+ years of research or industrial experience in magnetic and functional materials.
Established research record in magnetic property–microstructure–performance relationships.
Experience managing large, complex research projects and building multidisciplinary teams.
Proven ability to develop and maintain relationships at the highest levels across multiple organizations/agencies and to leverage those relationships to further Laboratory research goals and increase business volume.
Demonstrated success in building high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams of theorists, technology developers, and application domain experts to conduct high technical risk, pioneering research and development.
Demonstrated leadership in the subject area with a strong publication and patent record.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

Continue to expand an already established technical reputation through application of science and engineering principles and theories, and develop technical approaches to solve challenges;
Provide strategy, technical leadership, and expertise in magnetic materials research, including hard/soft magnets, nanostructured alloys, magnetic composites, and rare-earth-free systems for high-performance systems.
Advance mine-to-magnet and mine-to-metal-to-device workflows for critical material supply chains.
Lead efforts in metallurgy processing and critical materials recovery.
Define and shape future research programs in collaboration with internal teams, industry partners, academia, and government agencies.
Lead efforts to build new, high-visibility research programs aligned with Department of Energy and other stakeholder goals.
Mentor junior and mid-level scientists for career development and establishing a safety culture in lab operations, recommend strategic hires, and guide technical development in growth areas.
Advocate for strategic equipment acquisitions and capability growth.
Translate stakeholder needs into funded research programs leveraging organizational strengths.
Communicate effectively through publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement.

Benefits

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

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