SEM Analyst

About the location Alcoa’s U.S. portfolio includes Alcoa's corporate headquarters (ACC), Alcoa's Technology Center (ATC), four smelters, hydroelectric power and a calcined coke plant. Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh; whether working virtually, on-site, or a hybrid of the two, we develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people, and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry! About the job Scanning Electron Microscope Analyst The successful candidate will use advanced electron microscopy tools including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) on a wide range of materials to support applied and fundamental research related to the aluminum industry. They will work directly with clients to solve materials and processing problems, perform failure analysis, and improve manufacturing materials or processes. They will act as a trainer and provide necessary support for technicians in sample preparation and data acquisition. The candidate will work closely with our research group members to implement best practices for maintaining our electron microscopy resources and planning for future investments. Major activities/Key challenges Perform advanced electron microscopy techniques including scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In addition to sample analysis, the candidate must understand the basic theory of equipment operation and be able to diagnose and troubleshoot equipment errors. The candidate must be able to communicate results using excel, PP, and word. The employee must be able to manage multiple work requests daily and have excellent time management skills. The candidate must be knowledgeable in proper sample preparation for optimized data acquisition. The candidate must be able to prioritize safety while working with laboratory hazards including radiation sources, acids and bases, and human/environmental toxins. The candidate must be able to communicate clearly and effectively and provide equipment training to new users. Due to continuous operations, the employee may be required to provide technical support outside traditional work hours Essential Knowledge & Skills/Education The educational requirement is a 4-year degree in materials science, chemistry, or another science or engineering field. Essential knowledge is 5 years of laboratory experience using scanning electron microscopy. 2-3 years of experience working with aluminum alloys is expected. Experience with Jeol SEM/Ametek EDAX is preferred. To support our teams and their families beyond the workplace, Alcoa provides an outstanding benefits package effective day one of employment! In addition to medical benefits, we offer structured work-from-home programs, employee resource group opportunities, 401K options and a first-rate vacation plan for valuable work-life balance. Alcoa encourages applications from women, people of diverse backgrounds and those with different skills and life experiences. Alcoa is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. #LI-TL2