RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER 3

Req #: 243574 Department: COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Appointing Department Web Address: https://www.wcet.washington.edu/ Job Location: Seattle - Other Posting Date: 02/19/2025 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $7,500 - $7,900 per month Other Compensation: Union Position: Yes Shift: First Shift Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The College of Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 3 to join their team.

Research undertaken at Washington Clean Energy Testbeds (WCET) is focused on the development of transitional energy devices, algorithms and other technologies. The equipment, analytical instrumentation, and computing capabilities are designed to meet the flexible needs of a multidisciplinary user base.

This position supports the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds (WCET), which provides academic and industrial user access to advanced characterization, fabrication, processing, and computing tools.

The Research Scientist/Engineer is responsible for instrument maintenance, demonstration, training, and sample evaluation using a variety of analysis techniques. The primary emphasis of duties will be on materials and electrical analysis tools including, but not limited to, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), profilometry, and photovoltaic performance evaluation. Secondary emphasis of work will be on printing-based fabrication techniques including, but not limited to, slot die coating, ultra high-resolution inkjet printing, screen printing, and 3D printing.

Specifically, the person in this role will execute the following duties:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

User and Community Interaction

Provide consulting services to WCET users and carry out contracted user experiments and work plans in accordance with the desires of "Remote" users.

Provide results to users in thorough, professional reports.

Work directly with local researchers from UW, industry, national labs, and other academic institutions to support their needs through equipment and processing training and support.

Communicate with users to thoroughly understand their research and facility needs and report results.

Contribute to technical and educational resources (manuals, webpages, training modules, etc.) and provide materials, lessons, and presentations for visitors, users, and guests to WCET.

Assist in science technology engineering and math (STEM) outreach activities and events.

Oversee WCET interns, managing intern activities and developing work plans to meet goals set by WCET Managing Director.

Facility Operation

Work with other facility staff and users to perform and train users in sample preparation, execution of analysis, interpretation of data, and reporting of results.

Coordinate with other staff members in order to schedule facilities and equipment use in an efficient fashion.

Execute standard operating procedures for facility users. Suggest and document practical changes for approval by management. Feasibility and validation studies of new or revised methods.

Ensure compliance with UW and local regulatory and permitting authorities’ requirements.

Support chemical and hazardous materials management, including inventory maintenance, standard operating procedure updates, and waste accumulation and disposal.

Make recommendations related to the organization of the lab, space, safety, equipment management, software, procedures, etc. to support continual process improvement within WCET.

Contribute to reports to the universities, sponsors, funding agencies, and other requesting organizations.

Equipment Maintenance

Perform basic preventative maintenance and calibrations.

Investigate instrument-related issues, execute troubleshooting procedures.

Contact vendor maintenance specialists if problem cannot be fixed by WCET staff.

Anticipate the need for consumables and accessories for equipment based on demand.

Be cross trained on various fabrication, processing, and characterization instruments to provide secondary support to other staff members of WCET.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering or a related field

Four years of materials characterization and/or fabrication laboratory work and/or relevant experience, OR Equivalent combination of education/experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering; or equivalent experience.

Knowledge of and experience with a variety of materials analysis and/or electroanalytical instrumentation, sample preparation, health and safety regulations, and equipment maintenance.

Experience with scientific instrumentation.

Demonstration of logical problem solving.

Ability to write and document lab policies and procedures clearly and effectively communicate them during training and supervisory exercises.

Experience providing excellent customer service to clients in technical fields.

Ability to multi-task and complete multiple projects in a timely manner.

Ability to train and interact with scientists with a range of backgrounds and levels of education.

Ability and willingness to use enhanced personal protective equipment including, but not limited to a respirator, heavy-weight gloves, electrical arc-flash protection, and fire resistant lab coat.

Experience with fabrication of novel devices and/or systems.

Experience in clean energy or clean technology research.

Experience with computer programing and software coding.

Ability to plan and execute complex projects involving characterization of experimental devices fabricated by novel methods.

Extensive background in chemistry, physics, materials science and/or engineering with a focus on analytical technique use and development.

Experience working in a university setting.

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Salary : $7,500 - $7,900