Materials Microscopy Laboratory Manager

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Materials Microscopy Laboratory Manager to lead and advance microscopy and materials characterization capabilities within the Material Sciences Group. This is a hands-on role combining ownership of laboratory operations with direct technical contributions to research programs. Approximately half of the role will focus on ownership and advancement of the microscopy laboratory, including equipment operation and maintenance, facilities, safety, and future capability development. The remaining time will support sample preparation, imaging, analysis, and development of new characterization approaches for challenging materials problems.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field.
1+ year experience with metallographic sample preparation, microscopy, and materials characterization, microscopy, and metallographic sample preparation.
Experience operating scanning electron microscopes and analytical techniques such as EDS.
Experience taking ownership of laboratory equipment, facilities, or technical capabilities, including troubleshooting and coordinating maintenance or repairs.
Strong organizational and communication skills and enjoy working across multidisciplinary research teams.
Able to obtain Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related field.
Experience managing or developing a shared microscopy or characterization laboratory.
Experience with advanced techniques such as EBSD, FIB, automated microscopy, quantitative image analysis, or other advanced characterization methods.
Developed new sample preparation, imaging, or analysis methods for challenging or novel materials.
Experience introducing automation, machine learning, or data-driven approaches to microscopy and materials characterization.
Experience helping select, acquire, commission, or develop new laboratory equipment and capabilities.

Responsibilities

Coordinate equipment maintenance, facilities needs, safety activities, service visits with vendors, and laboratory consumables inventory and replenishment, while identifying opportunities to improve how the laboratory operates and ensuring capabilities are safe, reliable, and operationally ready.
Perform hands-on sample preparation and microscopy, including metallography, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.
Be regarded as a specialist in metallography and take ownership of end-to-end sample preparation, transforming as-received specimens into microscopy-ready specimens.
Conduct equipment training and mentor laboratory users to build a strong community around microscopy and materials characterization.
Partner with scientists and engineers to develop novel and accelerated characterization approaches, improved workflows, and other innovations for the needs of different research programs and challenges.
Help define future investments in microscopy and characterization equipment and establish new capabilities from acquisition through implementation and user adoption.