Principal Investigator / Senior Scientist

Hummingbird Scientific•Lacey, WA

15d

About The Position

Hummingbird Scientific is seeking a Principal Investigator / Senior Scientist to lead grant-funded research, manage multidisciplinary R&D projects, and develop and validate scientific instrumentation. The role builds the company’s research program by identifying relevant funding opportunities, writing competitive grant proposals, and translating scientific ideas into practical capabilities and products. The position combines scientific research and hands-on technical problem-solving with leadership of complex projects from proposal development through execution and reporting. Working with engineers and other technical contributors, the successful candidate will translate research objectives into working hardware, conduct experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, and validate new systems. The role provides technical direction to multidisciplinary project teams by assigning responsibilities, establishing priorities, tracking progress, and coordinating resources across functional groups, including team members who report to other managers. The candidate is expected to take ownership of overall project outcomes, including delegated work, and balance technical excellence with timely delivery. Clear communication across disciplines and the ability to present research findings through technical reports, publications, and presentations are essential.

Requirements

PhD in materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, or a closely related discipline.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex R&D projects from initial concept through technical planning, execution, and delivery.
Demonstrated success developing and submitting competitive grant proposals and securing grant funding.
Demonstrated experience developing, troubleshooting, and validating scientific instrumentation or experimental setups.
Strong ability to communicate complex technical ideas clearly and connect detailed science with broader impact.
Expert-level, hands-on experience in TEM, SEM, and/or X-ray synchrotron–based experiments.
Demonstrated experience supervising and directing technical personnel within multidisciplinary R&D or engineering projects.

Nice To Haves

Experience with in-situ or operando microscopy.
Experience in a small business, startup, or applied R&D environment.

Responsibilities

Lead complex R&D projects from proposal development through execution, delivery, and reporting.
Identify relevant funding opportunities and develop and submit competitive grant proposals.
Develop, troubleshoot, and validate scientific instrumentation and experimental setups.
Translate research objectives into working hardware and practical capabilities or products.
Conduct experiments and resolve technical challenges.
Provide technical direction to multidisciplinary teams by assigning responsibilities, setting priorities, tracking progress, and coordinating resources across functional groups.
Take ownership of project outcomes, including delegated work, while balancing technical quality and timely delivery.
Communicate research findings through technical reports, publications, and presentations.