Sr. Scientist Mechanics of Materials

Role Purpose

This role supports the Physical Properties team by developing and applying small-scale mechanical characterization methods—primarily nanoindentation—to quantify hardness, elastic modulus, and related deformation/fracture metrics in glass and ceramic materials and relate them to mechanical performance. The scientist will design test plan, execute experiments, and interpret results using appropriate contact mechanics and materials models, and translate findings into actionable guidance for composition and process development. The scientist will also serve as a subject matter expert, working with various projects and project leaders to guide discovery and application of mechanical property insights across R&D programs. Work spans method development (instrumentation, calibration, uncertainty), microstructure–property correlations, and collaboration with R&D partners to solve mechanical performance challenges in advanced glass/ceramic systems.

• Primary focus: damage/contact mechanics and mechanics of materials for glass, ceramics, and hard coatings—linking small-scale measurements (including nanoindentation) to deformation, flaw sensitivity, indentation/scratch damage, crack initiation and growth, and overall mechanical performance.
• Secondary focus: method correlation/benchmarking with microhardness (Vickers/Knoop), bending strength, and other mechanical tests as needed to connect small-scale response to bulk performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute damage/contact mechanics experiments on glass, ceramic, and/or coated samples (sample preparation, mounting, polishing, cleanliness, environmental controls)
• Develop and maintain test methods (tip area function, frame compliance, reference materials, drift control, thermal stabilization, acceptance criteria)
• Analyze load–displacement data using standard instrumented indentation analysis methods and evaluate sources of uncertainty and bias
• Characterize indentation size effects, viscoelastic/viscoplastic response, and rate/time dependence as relevant to glass and glass-ceramics
• Assess indentation cracking (pop-ins, radial/median cracks) and support fracture/mechanics interpretations; correlate with microscopy when available (optical/SEM/AFM)
• Document procedures and results (lab notebooks, method documents, reports, and presentations); communicate conclusions and recommendations to project teams
• Serve as a subject matter expert in damage mechanics, nanoindentation, and small-scale mechanics, partnering with project leaders to guide discovery, method selection, data interpretation, and application of results to development decisions
• Partner with composition, process, and modeling teams to define hypotheses, design experiments, and translate mechanical data into development decisions
• Maintain equipment readiness (routine checks, troubleshooting, vendor interactions, and scheduling) and uphold environmental health/safety practices in labs

Required Education

• PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ceramics/Glass Science, or closely related field; MS with significant directly relevant experience may be considered
• 2+ years of hands-on experience (graduate or industry) performing instrumented indentation (nanoindentation and/or microindentation) and analyzing mechanical property data
• Demonstrated experience with brittle materials (glass, ceramics, glass-ceramics) and fundamental mechanics of materials (elasticity, plasticity, fracture, contact mechanics)
• Experience designing experiments and applying statistical methods (DOE, uncertainty analysis, repeatability/reproducibility) to generate defensible property values
• Ability to summarize complex technical findings clearly in written reports and presentations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Expertise in instrumented indentation (nanoindentation): test execution, calibration, and data reduction using accepted instrumented indentation analysis methods, including understanding of limitations and artifacts
• Strong foundation in mechanics of materials and contact mechanics applied to indentation (elastic/plastic response, tip geometry effects, indentation size effects)
• Experience with hardness and modulus measurement in brittle materials and awareness of indentation cracking and fracture mechanics considerations
• Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel plus one of: Python, MATLAB, or JMP) and ability to automate/streamline analysis workflows

Desired Experiences

• Experience with complementary mechanical testing (Vickers/Knoop microhardness, microindentation fracture toughness estimates, flexural strength, scratch/abrasion, wear)
• Familiarity with microscopy and surface/topography methods supporting indentation interpretation (optical, SEM, AFM, profilometry, interferometry)
• Experience with finite element modeling of indentation/contact or collaboration with modeling teams to interpret measured response
• Knowledge of glass structure/property relationships and strengthening/damage mechanisms (e.g., ion exchange, thermal tempering, subcritical crack growth)
• Track record of technical publications, patents, or conference presentations in small-scale mechanical characterization