Sensor Development Scientist

Battelle•Baldwin, PA

5d•$81,600 - $116,300•Hybrid

About The Position

We are currently seeking a Sensor Development Scientist. This position is a full-time opportunity located in Pittsburgh, PA. The Research Support Team supporting the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is seeking a Sensor Development Scientist to join a collaborative, interdisciplinary team spanning industry, academic, and national laboratory partners. This role focuses on developing gas sensing devices for infrastructure monitoring, with a development cycle that spans conceptual design through field demonstration. The selected candidate will work side by side with world-class scientists and engineers using state-of-the-art equipment to contribute to both basic and applied research. Expected outcomes include publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, presentations at national and international technical conferences, and the development of new intellectual property.

Requirements

Master's or PhD degree in electrical engineering, engineering physics, chemical engineering, materials engineering, or a related field
Experience with gas sensor device fabrication and testing, ideally in harsh environments using resistive-based sensing devices
Experience in device and material characterization techniques such as SEM, FTIR, XRD, and impedance measurements
Hands-on familiarity with laboratory equipment such as vector network analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers
Experience publishing peer-reviewed scientific articles
Experience working on federally funded research projects
Must be able to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus
Applicants must have authorization to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of any employment Visa at this time.

Responsibilities

Design and develop highly sensitive gas and chemical sensors using FET, chemiresistive, and other sensor platforms for use in natural gas infrastructure such as pipelines and storage wells
Design and synthesize semiconducting thin films, metal oxide and 2D nanomaterials and their composite materials, nanoparticles, and nanoporous materials for gas and VOC sensing at room temperature
Modify thin films and sensing materials to achieve highly sensitive, selective, low-ppb sensing layers capable of operating in high humidity, high temperature, and other challenging conditions
Work with functional material scientists to design and develop sensor devices capable of detecting gas, corrosion, and other pipeline environmental factors
Plan and participate in field test demonstrations of developed sensing technologies
Document and communicate scientific results through peer-reviewed journal manuscripts and technical reports
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary group of researchers to accomplish project tasks
Create and deliver oral and poster presentations of research results at meetings and technical conferences and workshops