Sr. Scientist - Materials & Mechanics

Corning•City of Corning, NY

4d•$80,984 - $111,353•Onsite

About The Position

This role supports reliability assessment and performance evaluation of brittle materials across advanced applications. The scientist will focus on mechanical and materials characterization, failure-mode analysis and reliability assessment to develop fundamental insights into material behavior while improving product performance for inorganic brittle materials, optical thin films, and related material systems. The position also includes scientific investigation and data-driven problem solving through modeling and analysis. The successful candidate will combine hands-on laboratory experimentation with rigorous technical analysis to investigate degradation and failure mechanisms, quantify reliability risks, and develop novel characterization approaches. This role requires strong scientific judgment, technical independence, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Requirements

Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or a related field; OR M.S. degree with five years of relevant industry experience.
Strong foundation in mechanical and materials engineering principles.
Demonstrated research experience in inorganic brittle materials, optical thin films, fracture mechanics, or experimental mechanics.
Strong knowledge of mechanics of materials, brittle material behavior, failure-mode analysis, mechanical testing, and materials characterization.
Experience evaluating material behavior under mechanical, thermal, and environmental application conditions, including related reliability assessments.
Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific problem solving.
Strong hands-on technical aptitude with proven written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through external presentations and/or peer-reviewed publications.

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral experience in thin films or materials mechanics.
Experience using characterization tools such as SEM, TEM, SIMS, universal testing machines, and indentation systems.
Experience with experimental techniques such as DIC, photoelasticity, high-speed imaging, and Kolsky bar testing.
Experience designing and conducting accelerated, surrogate, or field-correlated mechanical tests.
Familiarity with instrumentation, data acquisition systems, CAD software, mathematics tools, and data analysis platforms.
Familiarity with thin-film deposition processes, including PVD, CVD, and ALD.
Experience applying AI/ML tools to opto-mechanical behavior analysis.
Experience with numerical simulation or analytical modeling methods.
Established record of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, patents, or other research contributions

Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional teams of scientists, engineers, and project leaders to support research and development objectives.
Plan experiments and assess material performance using first principles-based insight.
Analyze reliability and failure modes to determine the mechanisms and material properties that drive product performance.
Evaluate reliability of brittle coating-based systems by connecting material behavior to realistic product-use conditions.
Coordinate with laboratories and stakeholders to deliver project outcomes.
Compile results and prepare communication materials for project partners and leaders.
Communicate technical results, conclusions, and recommendations through reports, presentations, and project updates.