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Concrete Research Chemist

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 a task order under a major federal contract, and we are identifying candidates who would be interested in working with us should we be awarded the task order.  At this stage, we are looking for a  Concrete Research Chemist who will be responsible for planning and conducting research in a state-of-the-art Chemistry Laboratory at a government facility. The Chemistry Laboratory conducts fundamental research on highway materials to understand their desirable and undesirable performances.  The laboratory has been involved in the development of new standard test methods to analyze and characterize highway materials efficiently and economically.  The laboratory also collaborates with other laboratories in the forensic investigation of premature failure of pavements and other highway structures.

 

The Concrete Research Chemist shall have experience analyzing and characterizing highway construction materials aimed at mitigating their premature deterioration and failure.  This includes the design and execution of factorial experiments.  The candidate should have demonstrated expert knowledge in the field of aggregate chemistry, including Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR).  Demonstrated knowledge of existing ASR tests for aggregates such as ASTM C1260 and ASTM C1293 and their shortcomings is preferred. The Concrete Research Chemist should demonstrate familiarity with the use of Raman Spectroscopy to elucidate the structure of ASR gels.

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Chemistry or Civil Engineering.

  • At least 8 years of experience in analyzing and characterizing highway construction materials, using advanced materials characterization techniques.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in aggregate, cement and asphalt chemistry.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in the use of standard laboratory spectrometers such as X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP), Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

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

  • Excellent verbal, presentation, and writing skills.

  • Excellent team and collaborative skills.

This anticipated position, which is contingent upon the task order 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 March 3, 2023 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.
 

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