Lab Scientist III

The Organic and Hybrid Non-Linear Optical Materials group at the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, OH is seeking a qualified contract research scientist with deep expertise across inorganic chemistry, materials science, and photonics. This unique research effort focuses on the foundational synthesis, advanced sintering, and rigorous characterization of polycrystalline and single crystal halide, chalcogenide, and organic materials.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, fabricate, and characterize single-crystal boules for optical characterization.
• Investigate and map the relationships between material atomic structure, chemistry, and resulting optical properties.
• Serve as an embedded contractor supporting an elite, interdisciplinary research team.
• Develop, grow, and evaluate single-crystal and polycrystalline materials for next-generation optical applications.
• Contribute to research initiatives supporting the mission and technology needs of the United States Air Force.
• Collaborate with government, academic, and industry partners in a highly collaborative research environment.
• Support high-impact research efforts that may lead to publications in leading peer-reviewed journals.
• Participate in and contribute to presentations at national and international scientific conferences.

*This position is designed to be flexible, with responsibilities evolving to meet business needs and enable individual growth.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a United States Citizen.
• PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related science or engineering field.
• 2+ years of postgraduate, postdoctoral, or equivalent research fellowship experience in an elite crystal growth or defense-adjacent laboratory setting.
• Applicants selected will be subject to a rigorous security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for accessing classified information and environments.
• Must be able to work comfortably in a standard office setting at a desk and computer terminal utilizing a keyboard and mouse. Offers flexibility for structured remote work/work-from-home options.
• Must be fully capable of working safely in a wet-chemistry/physical-science laboratory environment around furnace equipment and vacuum lines.
• Must be able to safely lift, carry, or position laboratory equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• May require travel ~10% of the time to attend prominent academic conferences, formal program reviews, defense industry meetings, or alternative multi-organizational collaborative events. Most or all associated travel will be within the Continental United States (CONUS).

Desired Skills:

1. Single Crystal Synthesis & Melt Processing

• Melt Growth Expertise: Advanced mastery of single crystal growth techniques, with specific, hands-on experience utilizing the vertical Bridgman method to produce high-quality, optically transparent single crystals.
• Thermal Profile Optimization: Proven ability to systematically design, program, and optimize complex thermal profiles, translation rates, and multi-zone furnace geometries tailored to novel metal halide and perovskite material systems.
• Ampoule Engineering: Proficient handling of high-temperature vacuum/reaction line operations, including the expert use of a hydrogen/oxygen torch to vacuum-seal quartz ampoules for air-sensitive, high-temperature synthesis.
• Defect Mitigation & Scale-Up: Demonstrated ability to diagnose and engineer structural solutions for common single-crystal growth challenges, such as mechanical cracking, inclusion/void formation, multiple grain nucleation, and inherent phase instabilities. Experience scaling exploratory crystal volumes (e.g., 7 mm) up to large-diameter production sizes (38 mm+).
• Zone Refinement: Strong background utilizing zone refinement methodologies to achieve ultra-high purity organic and inorganic starting materials necessary for flawless single crystal propagation.

2. Atmosphere Control & Powder Sintering

• Glovebox Mastery: Comprehensive experience operating and maintaining inert-atmosphere gloveboxes while handling highly hygroscopic, reactive, and air-sensitive halide raw materials.
• Chemical Processing: Experience or strong technical familiarity with chemical synthesis approaches (e.g., ball milling, melt synthesis) and safe handling of chemical precursors.

3. Crystallographic, Thermal, & Optical Characterization

• Orientation Verification: Proficiency in identifying, indexing, and verifying single-crystal crystallographic orientation using Laue X-ray diffraction to enable controlled cutting and growth along specific axes.
• Structural Literacy: Expertise in standard structural characterization methodologies, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), single crystal XRD, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for microstructural and chemical mapping.
• Thermal Feedback Loops: Experience utilizing Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to effectively map phase spaces, melting points, and decomposition thresholds.
• Optical Spectrometry: Deep background in the optical characterization of materials, including spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) and steady-state/time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy (such as core-valence luminescence and light output evaluation).

4. Data Analysis, Modeling, & Software

• Programming & Automation: Advanced proficiency in high-level data analysis, signal processing, and data visualization using custom Python scripting and MATLAB environments.
• Domain-Specific Software: Technical literacy in specialized crystallographic structural refinement and plotting packages, including GSAS II, OriginLab, VESTA, and Crystal Maker.
• Productivity Systems: Seamless workflow integration capability using Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office/Teams.

5. Communication, Intellectual Property, & Collaboration

• Scientific Productivity: Exceptional written communication skills, backed by a proven pedigree of first-author and collaborative peer-reviewed publications in high-impact materials chemistry, crystal growth, and optical physics journals.
• Intellectual Property: Experience translating laboratory breakthroughs into formal intellectual property, such as issued patents or non-provisional patent applications regarding novel chemical formulations.
• Public Presentation: Excellent oral communication skills, demonstrated by a clear history of delivering technical oral presentations and posters at major international physics, crystal growth, and optics conferences (e.g., IEEE NSS MIC, SCINT, ACCGE).
• Interdisciplinary Experience: Proven ability to operate seamlessly both independently and within large, complex networks spanning defense research hubs (AFIT/AFRL), elite academic groups, and national laboratories (e.g., LANL).

Why Work for Us?

Core4ce is a team of innovators, self-starters, and critical thinkers—driven by a shared mission to strengthen national security and advance warfighting outcomes.

We offer:

• 401(k) with 100% company match on the first 6% deferred, with immediate vesting
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage—employee portion paid 100% by Core4ce
• Unlimited access to training and certifications, with no pre-set cap on eligible professional development
• Tuition assistance for job-related degrees and courses
• Paid parental leave, PTO that grows with tenure, and generous holiday schedules
• Got a big idea? At Core4ce, The Forge gives every employee the chance to propose bold innovations and help bring them to life with internal backing.

Join us to build a career that matters—supported by a company that invests in you.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, veteran status, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status.