Research Scientist - Synthetic Chemistry

Job Description Summary

As a GE Vernova accelerator, GE Vernova Advanced Research is driving strategy and leading research & development efforts to execute on the business's mission to help power the energy transition. We forge the collaborations and help invent the technologies required to electrify and decarbonize for a zero-carbon future.

Representing virtually every major scientific and engineering discipline, our researchers are collaborating with GE Vernova's businesses, the U.S. government, and more than 420 entities at the forefront of technology to execute on 150+ energy focused projects. Collectively, these research programs and initiatives aim to solve near term technical challenges, deliver next generation product advances, and drive long term breakthrough innovation to enable more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct basic & applied research including small organic molecule, polymeric, polymer composite, porous organic polymers, or inorganic materials synthesis, component design, materials testing, process development & optimization, and performance evaluation.
• Fabricate functional material systems through the development and coating/deposition of slurry and binder formulations on additively-manufactured components.
• Design & execute experiments, while independently leading tasks that result in impact for GE Vernova businesses and customers.
• Identify key technical issues and produce cutting edge technical breakthroughs.
• Determine system level performance requirements and develop fundamental system knowledge through experimentation and process optimization. Iteratively improve system performance.
• Be a member of a multidisciplinary team developing functional materials across diverse application spaces.
• Collaborate with Technologists and Product Managers in GE Vernova businesses and at external partners to understand needs and product and process requirements.
• Build relationships with colleagues at GE Vernova Advanced Research with a wide variety of technical expertise and business responsibilities.
• Identify and form collaborative relationships with academic, national laboratory, industry, government agencies and GE Vernova experts to leverage internal capability, increasing impact.
• Investigate, identify and pursue external and commercial opportunities, proposing solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges and writing proposals for grant consideration.
• Support IP strategy development and prior art analysis, write disclosures and patent applications and collect rigorous experimental data for IP patent processes
• Deliver effective presentations, reports, and publications to GE Vernova Advanced Research leadership, the GE Vernova businesses, government agencies, professional societies, and peer-reviewed journals.

• Doctorate in Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science or related discipline.
• Proven record of innovation, including peer-reviewed publications, in areas related to the synthesis of organic and polymeric materials, inorganic and organometallic powders and suspensions, and/or additive material formulations and slurry development.
• Practical knowledge of safety practices as it relates to experimental design and lab practices.
• Demonstrated project execution experience, teamwork experience & ability to work across all functions/levels as part of a team.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Must be willing to work out of an office located in Niskayuna, NY.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.
• Because of the specific categories of data handled by GE Vernova Advanced Research and the structure of our work environment, we are unable to accommodate employment of persons while they are considered nationals of countries subject to comprehensive restrictions under the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 15 CFR Section 746 et seq. (currently North Korea, Syria, Iran and Cuba). Please note that citizens of these countries who have either "U.S. person" status under U.S. export control laws or subsequent citizenship or permanent residency from a non-restricted country can be considered.

• Experience with the design and synthesis of new materials (small molecules, sorbent materials, engineering thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, or nano-structured polymers), porous organic polymers, surface functionalization, surface coating, slurry formulation, thermal and radiation-based curing, blending and their associated manufacturing processes.
• Fully versed in material characterization methods.
• Experience in the process development and scale-up of materials.
• Ability and experience transitioning products from R&D to manufacturing.
• Well versed in Six Sigma methodology -specifically DoE's and Gage R&R.
• Experience developing patentable intellectual property
• Experience writing successful R&D proposals, including to government agencies
• Excellent written and verbal communication capabilities
• Comfort interacting and reporting horizontally and vertically both within and across organizational boundaries
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills using innovative and hands-on solutions
• Demonstrated capability to work in a multidisciplinary environment
• Strong interpersonal skills initiative, high self-confidence and have goals for a career in industrial research.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to adapt to change and willingness to be flexible in a global team environment.