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Description

Leidos is seeking an exceptional and motivated Electrochemist interested in pursuing their passion by working side-by-side with world experts as a research scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL) Pittsburgh, PA site. In this role, you will work as part of Leidos’s leading Research & Development laboratory team supporting DOE at NETL to pursue cutting-edge research on the development and validation of electrochemical materials and systems to convert CO2 in to industrially-relevant chemicals. The team’s goal of the specific effort is to deliver a conceptual design of a catalytic reactor that converts CO2 into ~100kg/day of product. Specifically, you will work with NETL’s Research Innovation Center and Office of Fossil Energy & Carbon Management on a multi-year research team to conduct onsite, hands-on experimental research including the synthesizing of electrocatalyst materials, catalytic characterization, and quantification of chemical products using chromatographic techniques. In this role, you will engage with world-class electrochemists, material scientists, research scientists, and computational modelers working on a variety of efforts, including leading DOE scientists and external partners to develop world-changing conversion technologies capable of transforming carbon dioxide into valuable resources that address economic and environmental impacts.

What this opportunity with Leidos supporting NETL uniquely provides you:

  • Working on applied, cutting-edge projects with global impact while being mentored by 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 specific to high impact energy research, technology generation, and patent development.
  • Support proposal development focused on expanding industry and scientific partnerships and developing new technical opportunities for NETL with federal guidance.
  • Opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge technologies related to catalysis, electrolysis, advanced computational modeling, and material sciences.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Conduct onsite, hands-on experimental research to synthesize electrocatalyst materials.
  • Conduct catalytic characterization tests using electrochemical full-cell electrolyzer devices.
  • Quantify chemical products using appropriate chromatographic techniques.
  • Characterize the structural, optical, compositional, and electronic properties of materials using electron microscopy, FTIR, Raman, UV-VIS, photoluminescence spectroscopy, XRD, and XPS.
  • Collect, analyze, and report experimental data in peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.
  • Participate and present results in regular team meetings.
  • Communicate project progress on a regular basis with contractor and federal staff.
  • Lead scientific manuscript preparation for publication in peer reviewed journals and abstracts, posters, and oral presentations for conferences.
  • Assist records of invention (ROIs) and patent application development and submission.

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree with 2+ years experience in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field with an emphasis on materials synthesis, characterization, and low-temperature electrocatalyst testing
  • Advanced knowledge of electrocatalyst development, characterization, and evaluation using catalyst-coated gas-diffusion electrodes and ion-exchange membranes
  • Experience synthesizing catalyst materials and nanomaterials using wet-chemistry or solid-state techniques
  • Experience with electrochemical full-cell electrolyzer hardware
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work safely in a laboratory setting and follow all safety protocols
  • Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team to solve problems of scientific and technological interest
  • Must be able to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus

Preferred Qualifications:

  • PhD preferred
  • First authorship of related publications
  • Previous experience developing and drafting experimental plans to accomplish specific goals

Come join Leidos on the Research Support Services (RSS) Team supporting the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)! As a member of the RSS Team supporting NETL, you’ll be able to work side by side with world-class scientists and engineers supporting fundamental and applied research to discover, integrate, and mature technology solutions that enhance the nation’s energy foundation and protect the environment for future generations. Highly skilled researchers at NETL’s three research sites – Albany, Oregon; Morgantown, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – conduct a broad range of research activities that support DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, energy security, and environmental sustainability of the United States.  Explore the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory here - https://netl.doe.gov/

Salary Range for this position: $95K to $100K

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”

Original Posting:

October 3, 2025

For U.S. Positions: 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.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $85,150.00 - $153,925.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.