Associate Scientist Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients' most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges.  

Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.  

Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you'll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team! 

Key statistics: 

• 950+ Consultants 
• 640+ Ph.D.s 
• 90+ Disciplines 
• 30+ Offices globally 

Exponent's Polymers and Chemistry practice is currently hiring a Scientist/Associate to join our consulting staff in our Bowie, MD office. In this role you will work as part of an interdisciplinary team contributing to a diverse set of projects from industries such as consumer products, construction, medical device, energy, pharmaceutical, infrastructure, and transportation. Candidates should have an advanced degree (Ph.D. or equivalent), with some related industrial experience considered a plus. The successful candidate will possess extensive practical knowledge of the physical, chemical, and mechanical behavior of macromolecules and will be highly skilled in a range of analytical and experimental techniques including rheology, mechanical testing, microscopy, fractography, HPLC, GC, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and DMA. This position requires some travel and will involve collaboration with scientists and engineers from other Exponent offices and practices. A long-term goal for a successful candidate will be to develop business by obtaining new projects and bringing new clients to the firm. 

• Inspections, scientific analysis and testing to address the specification and reliability of polymeric materials in a variety of applications from a wide range of industries. 

• Root cause analysis of a wide variety of failures related to issues arising in development, manufacturing, or end-use of products manufactured for the construction, medical device, consumer electronics, and pharmaceutical industries.  

• Assignments will require the ability to gather information from and convey technical conclusions to individuals in engineering, business, law, and industry. 

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field 

• A strong theoretical and practical knowledge of macromolecules and associated chemical characterization techniques

• Experience with sampling techniques and statistical data analysis for FTIR, DSC, TGA, DMA, fractography, and microscopy (optical and electron-based techniques) 

• Experience with the design, validation, and execution of novel or non-standard testing 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills  

• Must be able to convey complex technical information to individuals in engineering, business, legal, and related industries 

• Ability to work within project teams with strong desire to contribute; have potential for technical and project managerial leadership 

• Strong educational and publication credentials 
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States.  No immigration sponsorship or processing required

Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) with publications (feel free to include publications that are in review or pending) [not restricted to 1 page].

To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links:https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent https://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact

Attracting, inspiring, developing, and rewarding exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and expertise are central to our corporate culture. Our diverse team allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment.  

Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well-being. We believe that providing competitive benefits as well as compensation and recognition programs empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference. 

At Exponent, we have found that in-person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment. Our consultants engage in-person in the office unless they are traveling for client work or other business activities.

We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well-being. Consultants have the autonomy to balance their work and personal schedules so you can meet with clients, visit inspection sites, attend conferences, and make time for priorities outside of work, too. It is this flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow our teams to drive innovation and results in their own ways, while meeting the needs of clients. #LI-Onsite

Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Associate and Senior Associate level, total compensation includes base salary, bi-weekly bonuses for high-intensity efforts, annual bonus and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

The base salary range for this position is dependent on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.

Access benefits information on our Life@Exponent page:  https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent 

 Exponent is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. 

 If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may email us at HR-Accommodations@exponent.com.