Employment Opportunities

The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) is seeking a dedicated Formulation Scientist to join our team at Eglin AFB in sunny Florida. This is an opportunity to be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment where you can contribute to cutting-edge research and development supporting the Air Force. For a career that makes a difference - Apply Today!

This position is located at Eglin AFB, FL. This position is for an on-site chemist or chemical engineer working in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munitions’ Directorate, Ordnance Division, Energetic Materials Branch, Processing & Formulation Section at Eglin AFB. The position will support the technical area of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) of energetic materials and components. The position requires hands-on research focused on the design and preparation of particulate composites containing polymers, explosives, and reactive materials. That research involves daily interaction with engineers, scientists, and technologists to collaboratively advance projects, accurate recording and communication (both written and oral) of progress, and independent initiative to solve emerging problems.
Responsibilities include:

Assisting in the planning of projects:

Attending team meetings and providing technical input.

Building expertise in certain technical areas to improve that input.

Planning explosives operations:

Identifying experimental objectives, conditions, and equipment to suit needs.

Scheduling support from colleagues and staff.

Conducting explosives operations:

Operating mixing and casting equipment.

Performing common chemistry operations (crystallization, filtration, etc.).

Utilizing analytical equipment (microscopes, NMR, particle size, etc.).

Reporting results:

Maintaining a laboratory notebook.

Providing team updates and authoring internal and external publications.

Expanding knowledge and supporting the team:

Identifying gaps in team knowledge areas and working to close them.

Helping other team members complete their operations and digest their outcomes.

Assisting in basic inspection and maintenance of equipment.

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related physical science field with a minimum of three years of related experience.

Knowledge of general wet chemistry laboratory techniques, instrumentation, and general scientific documentation practices.

Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen.

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Ability to understand and adhere to safety policies.

Ability to plan and execute systematic research efforts adhering to standard research principles.

Able to work with a diverse and experienced team of scientists, engineers, and technicians in support and advisory roles.

Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance.

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

Knowledge and experience in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, particle / powder processing, coating and surface modification, or development of analytical methods.

Strong math and computer skills to include comparative statistics, experimental design, and scripting/programming.

Experience with the formulation and scale-up of explosive, energetic or hazardous materials.

Demonstrated history of conducting literature searches and incorporating external ideas into research programs.

Demonstrated history of punctuality and dependability at work.

Demonstrated history of successful self-direction on complicated, multi-tiered, tasks.

Active SECRET security clearance or equivalent.

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.