New! Laboratory Scientist Position – We’re Growing!

Free Form Fibers (FFF) is a high performance materials manufacturer located in upstate New York in the city of Saratoga Springs.  The company is committed to using its laser-driven chemical vapor deposition technology to bring new and unique fiber materials and related products to the composites and microelectronics industries. FFF was founded as a result of the development of a unique process based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to create inorganic High-Performance Fibers (HPFs) and high purity powders for use in a variety of challenging applications. These applications appear in military and aerospace (turbo machinery, rockets, advanced structures), automobile, biomedical, energy, microelectronics and other industries that require advanced materials with exceptional strength, stiffness, heat resistance and/or chemical resistance. FFF provides these high-value raw materials to OEMs and composites fabricators.

As we near our 17^th year in business as well as being in the middle of our commercialization phase, we are in the process of adding employees to expand our scope of operations. In support of that initiative, we’re searching for a Laboratory Scientist. This is a ground floor opportunity for career growth as the company expands significantly over the next 3 years. The Laboratory Scientist position is an important and crucial role in the company for achieving success, and the individual taking this position will be challenged in a variety of areas.

Free Form Fibers is an equal opportunity employer. 

Due to the sensitive nature of the various Department of Defense funded program that Free Form Fibers receives, U.S. citizenship is a requirement for this position.

Please visit our website to find out more about our technology, products, and markets that we serve:  www.fffibers.com

If interested in this position, please send a cover letter and resume to: recruiting@fffibers.com

Laboratory Scientist

Reports To: Senior Manager of Research and Development

Exemption Status: Salaried Exempt

Job Overview: The Laboratory Scientist is responsible for performing tasks needed to ensure success for all internally and externally funded research projects, as well as provide research support for the Production Department.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Participates in all safety related training sessions.
• Independently operates laboratory processes.
• Participates in fiber analyses that are performed internally or externally (microscopy, chemical analysis, x-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy).
• Partners in the establishment of a quality assurance system, working to determine necessary data that needs to be part of Free Form Fibers’ reporting.
• Participates in new material development efforts; creates design-of-experiments and executes the plans.
• Contributes to writing grant proposals.
• Provides support to achieve successful grant award programs, in terms of both research activities as well as program reporting and updates.
• Leads efforts to create Standard Operating Procedures for laboratory processes.
• Attends conferences and symposia relevant to Free Form Fibers’ business and technical interests.
• Supports relationships in the technical communities for Free Form Fibers’ fiber and fiber-related products.
• Participates in Free Form Fibers development efforts, such as computer modeling and software programming.
• Performs additional duties as assigned and works closely with the CEO and the leadership and engineering teams.

Quali?cations:

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related ?eld.
• Experience with sampling techniques and statistical data analysis, particularly with regard to fiber and powder analyses that are performed internally or externally (microscopy, chemical analysis, x-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy).
• Collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Understanding of safe laboratory techniques including laser alignment and compressed gas cylinder change-outs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong educational and publication credentials.
• Strong teamwork and leadership skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analysis skills.
• Ability to identify errors and deficiencies and perform research with limited guidance.
• Ability to apply knowledge to job funcCon using pre-established guidelines and instructions.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficient MS Office computer skills.
• Ability to comprehend and comply with company safety and quality standards.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Superior problem-solving abilities.

This job description is provided for informational purposes only and is subject to revision as business needs require.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace; bilingual skills a plus. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business information, including but not limited to Company policies and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, tax / accounting data, etc.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential funcCons of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds with or without assistance on an occasional to frequent basis.
• Ability to spend up to 100% of work time standing or moving about all areas.
• Physically capable of standing and sitting for extended periods of time and lifting up to 50 pounds, with and without assistance.
• Physical activities include but are not limited to bending, stooping, lifting, climbing, carrying, walking and/or reaching on a frequent basis.
• Proper lifting and safety techniques required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A large percentage of work time is spent in manufacturing areas where temperatures are cool in the winter and warm in the summer, and noise level can be moderate to high.

Office work environment: for the most part, ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional equipment as found in a typical manufacturing office environment.

Weekly Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.

• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related ?eld.
• Experience with sampling techniques and statistical data analysis, particularly with regard to fiber and powder analyses that are performed internally or externally (microscopy, chemical analysis, x-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy).
• Collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Understanding of safe laboratory techniques including laser alignment and compressed gas cylinder change-outs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong educational and publication credentials.
• Strong teamwork and leadership skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analysis skills.
• Ability to identify errors and deficiencies and perform research with limited guidance.
• Ability to apply knowledge to job funcCon using pre-established guidelines and instructions.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficient MS Office computer skills.
• Ability to comprehend and comply with company safety and quality standards.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Superior problem-solving abilities.