Concrete and Aggregate Petrographer

​

High Performance Technologies, Inc. (HPTech) is an infrastructure-centered firm focusing on practice, research, policy, and technology transfer.  HPTech was established in 2003 with the primary purpose of serving the U.S. federal government at their facilities and project sites.  Our uniqueness lies in our ability to integrate physical sciences, social sciences, engineering, planning, and policy when developing and delivering infrastructure solutions.

 

​HPTech is currently pursuing an upcoming major federal contract, and we are identifying candidates who would be interested in working with us should we be awarded the contract.  At this stage, we are looking for a Concrete and Aggregate Petrographer who will be responsible for planning and conducting petrographic studies on highway construction materials in a state-of-the-art Aggregate and Petrography Laboratory (APL) at a government facility.  The APL conducts research in characterizing various construction materials used in bridges and pavements and identifying deterioration mechanisms encountered in these facilities.  APL, in collaboration with other laboratories, also participates in the forensic investigation of highway infrastructure.  The laboratory is equipped with a variety of sample preparation and analysis equipment.  These include stereo microscopes, transmitted and reflected light microscopes and image-capturing systems.

 

The Concrete and Aggregate Petrographer shall be an experienced geologist, mineralogist, and a subject matter expert on petrography of concrete, aggregates, and other construction materials.  The candidate shall have experience and skills in polished-section and thin-section microscopy and an in depth understanding of related AASHTO and ASTM standards and methods for examination of highway materials and mixtures.

 

​Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in geology, mineralogy, civil engineering, or related discipline.

• At least 5 years of experience as a petrographer.

• Specific experience in performing detailed petrographic examinations of construction materials (aggregates, rocks, concrete, mortar, masonry, etc.).

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in aggregates, cement, and concrete materials and mixtures used in highway construction.

• Capable of complementing petrographic analysis with other material characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analysis.

• Experienced with the use of automated air void systems meeting the requirements of ASTM C457 including those that incorporate image analysis.

• Record of published peer-reviewed journal articles and research reports, and conference presentations.

• Excellent verbal, presentation, and writing skills.

• Excellent team and collaborative skills.

• Professional Geologist (PG) or Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration highly desirable.

​

This anticipated position, which is contingent upon the contract award to HPTech, would be based in McLean, Virginia.

​

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

​

For timely consideration, apply online by August 19, 2022 at:

​​

​

​

HPTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.