Polymer Formulation Chemist - Academic Graduate Appointee

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for an Academic Graduate Appointee to conduct research in silicone materials development and processing for 3D printing, with a focus on formulation development, 3D printing, curing behavior, and mechanical performance. You will actively participate in research to design, formulate, print, and characterize silicone-based materials for advanced additive manufacturing, with emphasis on integrating automation and data driven workflows to accelerate materials development. This position is in the High Performance Materials group of the Materials Science Division.

In this role you will

• Conduct research related to silicone formulation development for 3D printing, including direct ink writing and other relevant silicone additive manufacturing methods.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments to quantify relationships among rheology, cure kinetics, processing conditions, and final mechanical properties.
• Develop and optimize polymer processing workflows, including mixing, compounding, degassing, and printing, to achieve robust, repeatable material performance.
• Perform silicone material characterization, including mechanical testing, rheological testing, and thermal testing, and interpret results to guide formulation and process improvements.
• Implement and maintain data analysis and coding workflows to manage experimental data, enable reproducibility, and accelerate iteration cycles.
• Integrate automation platforms (for example, Chemspeed or similar) into formulation, sample preparation, and testing pipelines to increase throughput and consistency.
• Collaborate with scientists in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals, including interactions with internal and external collaborators.
• Document research, publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in polymer processing and characterization, such as mixing, formulating, mechanical testing, rheological testing, and thermal testing demonstrated by coursework, training, and/or work experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing experimental plans, including troubleshooting complex materials and process variables.
• Demonstrated ability to write and use code for data processing, analysis, or experiment control in a research environment.
• Ability to develop independent research projects through publication of peer-reviewed literature.
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills as reflected in effective presentations at seminars, meetings and/or teaching lectures.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills with desire and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with silicone chemistry and silicone formulation development (for example, addition cure, condensation cure, fillers, catalysts, inhibitors, surface treatments).
• Experience with 3D printing of polymers, especially silicone printing (for example, DIW, extrusion based printing, or related approaches).
• Experience with automation (Chemspeed or similar) and/or Python based data workflows, and familiarity with machine learning approaches for materials or process optimization.

Pay Range

$6,833 - $8,335 Monthly

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee, open to those who have been awarded a degree at the time of the employment offer.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

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