Formulation Chemist

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

2d•$145,200 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Materials and Microsystems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory seeks a technical staff to spearhead and grow the enterprise focused on organic/inorganic formulations for coatings, 3-D direct ink write printing, and microelectronics advanced packaging applications for critical national security applications. Related efforts include organic synthesis of new monomers, polymers, surfactants, binders and transition of those materials from exploratory research to repeatable lab-scale production. Additional responsibilities will include the development of experimental methods as part of the AI-enabled rapid materials discovery team. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strategic business acumen and strong interdisciplinary collaboration skills. Occasional travel is required to meet with sponsors and participate in professional conferences.

Requirements

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or related field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
Demonstrated ability to create, fabricate, and analyze formulations for specific applications and use cases
Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and build teams
Active or eligible to obtain a Secret security clearance
Excellent oral and written communications skills, including ability to communicate experimental results to experts and non-experts, government sponsors, and internal stakeholders
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to formulate complex coatings and engineer their composition-property relationships
Understanding of colloid science, rheology, adhesion, and surface modifiers in a broad set of coating and substrate systems
Expertise in synthesis of new monomers, polymers, surfactants, binders and transition of those materials from exploratory research to repeatable lab-scale production
Expertise in 3-D direct ink write printing formulation across a broad set of materials
Development of new materials for microelectronics advanced packaging applications
Understanding of effect of radiation on materials with applications to radiation shielding of microelectronics
Familiarity with computational materials science with linkage to experimental methods
Experience in successfully guiding and leading interdisciplinary technical programs
Experience defining and executing technology roadmaps
Six or more years of post-graduate experience as an experimental materials researcher
Expertise outside the named disciplines will be considered for exceptional candidates

Responsibilities

Lead and conduct hands-on experimental research in formulations development, materials synthesis, processing, and characterization
Strong background in experimental characterization methods, such as spectroscopy and mass spectrometry
Help develop and execute a strategic roadmap for the materials enterprise, aligning experimental research with national security priorities
Serve as a subject matter expert for the formulation and processing thrust of the AI-enabled rapid material discovery program
Define and propose new research and development opportunities with government agencies, academic institutions, and industry
Manage project timelines, budgets, and reporting to meet organizational and sponsor objectives
Lead, mentor, and participate in multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and collaboration
Write and publish technical reports, manuscripts, and proposals detailing research methods, findings, and strategic implications.