R&D Scientist

---

Job description

Overview

The Vacuum Coatings Product Development Group at Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Industries, Flat Glass) Glass Technology Center is seeking a Ph.D.-level scientist to further its research and development activities.

This position will be focused on research and development work in the area of thin film coatings and vacuum-based vapor-phase coating deposition technologies mainly pursuant to the development of new coated glass products for various markets including architectural glazing, automotive glazing, and specialty glazing. However, this position may also involve research and development of products and/or processes for other applications.

Responsibilities

Plan and conduct research and development pursuant to invention of new technologies and development of new products and processes, including but not necessarily limited to the following activities:

• Soliciting input from personnel in R&D and non-R&D functions (e.g., Sales/Marketing, Manufacturing/Operations, etc.) to define project goals and performance targets for each development project
• Modeling of optical performance/aesthetics of coating designs to identify, refine, and optimize designs for thin film interference coatings which meet performance requirements (e.g., spectral performance requirements, aesthetic requirements, durability requirements)
• Optical characterization of materials and their properties using optical techniques (e.g., spectroscopic ellipsometry)
• Conducting experiments in a laboratory environment, and in a production plant environment as-needed
• Analysis/interpretation of data
• Summary of results/conclusions
• Documentation of results
• Communication of results/conclusions in meetings and/or presentations to stakeholders including personnel within R&D, executive-level stakeholders, and personnel in other functions (e.g., Sales/Marketing,
• Manufacturing/Operations, Quality Assurance, Technical Services, etc.)
• Transfer of output of each R&D project into Manufacturing
• Working as a member of a diverse team, comprising R&D personnel (e.g., scientists, engineers, engineering specialists, and technicians) and non-R&D personnel as enumerated above, pursuant to aforesaid research and development activities
• On average, up to about 25% time of travel will be required
• Most work will be conducted in a laboratory environment and in an office environment, but some work in a manufacturing environment (e.g., at a Vitro factory/manufacturing plant) will be required at times dictated by the needs of the projects
• During travel and while working at Vitro plants or similar environments, overtime and/or weekend/evening hours are sometimes needed
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 45 pounds and to walk up to about 10,000 steps per day, particularly when working at Vitro plants

Qualifications

The candidate will have a Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field. Prior experience is preferred, preferably at least two years post-Ph.D. experience (e.g., industrial experience or post-doctoral appointment).

The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in one or more of the following areas, and an ability and willingness to develop proficiency in the other areas:

Optical physics of thin films (i.e., optical thin film interference filters)
Physics/chemistry of condensed matter (i.e., solid-state physics or solid-state chemistry)
Physics/chemistry of thin films (e.g., thin film nucleation and growth; microstructure of thin films; optical, electrical, mechanical, tribological, thermodynamic, and/or chemical properties of thin films)
Thin film devices (e.g., semiconductor devices)
Vacuum-based vapor-phase thin-film coating deposition processes (e.g., sputter deposition, etc.)
Technology and hardware of high-vacuum systems, especially vacuum-based thin-film coating deposition systems
Surface analysis and materials characterization techniques, especially thin-film characterization techniques
The candidate will demonstrate proven skills, and leadership potential, suitable for an industrial R&D environment, including aptitude and willingness to participate in the full product commercialization cycle including: (1) research, (2) development, (3) technology transfer/manufacturing scale-up, and (4) post-commercialization support.