Corrosion Research Scientist

Description

We are seeking a Corrosion Research Scientist to join our team in Albany, OR to work with a distributed, multidisciplinary team working to improve the nation's energy infrastructure and transportation. The candidate will conduct research focused on addressing the challenges of impurities and corrosion on CO2 transport. This research project will play a significant role in evaluating the risk of Stress Corrosion Cracking and corrosion of carbon steels under a CO2 environment with impurities. This is a crucial research area that directly impacts the energy industry. This work will involve a scientific, and technically-oriented national laboratory team, participation alongside other materials scientists, engineers, and computer scientists that produces technological solutions for America's energy challenges. From developing creative innovations and efficient energy systems, to advancing technologies that produce, transport, and utilize hydrogen and other fuels, NETL research is providing breakthroughs and discoveries that support home-grown energy initiatives, stimulate a growing economy, and improve the health, safety, and security of all Americans.

What this opportunity supporting NETL uniquely provides you:

• Working on applied, cutting-edge projects with global impact while being mentored by, and collaborating with, the nation's leading energy scientists and engineers.
• Real-world experience supplemented with technical development and discussions that provide unique insight into the broad range of mission-critical engineering and scientific disciplines NETL leverages to support national energy research and policy development.
• Access to world-class, customized facilities and computational assets specific to high-impact energy research, technology generation, and product development.
• Support proposal development focused on expanding industry and scientific partnerships and developing new technical opportunities for NETL with federal guidance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Investigate the effect of impurities (e.g., CO, O2, H2, NOx, SOx) on corrosion of pipeline carbon steel under dense phase CO2 in electrochemical and immersion autoclaves using weight loss and electrochemical methods. The corrosion performance of pipeline steels will be evaluated in dense phase/supercritical CO2 saturated with water and containing impurities utilizing an immersion autoclave using the weight loss method and in-situ measurements of ion concentrations.
• Improving the test setup by adding capabilities to measure impurity content continuously or periodically in the autoclaves, injecting impurities to replenish those consumed in corrosion reactions, and detecting acid dropout.
• Investigate SCC of carbon steel using the four-point bend specimens in the technically pure CO2 and wet CO2 with and without impurities
• Surface characterization using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Kelvin probe spectroscopy.
• Perform cyclic polarization tests to understand active-passive behavior in the presence of O2 and CO as impurities in CO2 pipelines to understand the SCC mechanism better.
• Preparing quarterly progress reports and internal presentations on project progress.
• Disseminating results via journal articles and national conference presentations.
• Period status reporting and project reports (weekly/monthly/quarterly/annually) are required to update project managers.
• Prepare technical reports on project scope, milestones, and conference/workshop presentations to disseminate research findings, activities, operations, and future initiatives to industry, academic, and government stakeholders.

Required Education, Experience & Other:

• Master's Degree (or higher) in Chemical engineering, Materials Science, or related field with 2 years of related experience
• Technical expertise in analytical and experimental electrochemistry.
• Knowledge of surface characterization instrumentation, including XRD and SEM-EDS.
• Experience publishing scientific work in peer-reviewed journals.
• Must be able to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in experimentation using high-temperature, high-pressure autoclaves.
• Proven track record of publications and presentations.
• Experience in corrosion modeling in high pressure or high temperature environments.
• Experience in developing corrosion resistant materials.
• Experience in communicating scientific technical material to a range of audiences (e.g., academicconference, technical audience, or high-level management).
• Leadership skills coordinating multiple teams and projects.

Salary Range for this position: $95K to $105K

While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.