The successful applicant will be responsible for helping the laboratory staff and graduate students with the silicon carbide growth process and this process will be followed by synthesis, slicing, polishing, and characterization processes. This role requires hands-on involvement in the SCIA laboratory operations and ongoing projects. 

Responsibilities: 

• Help SCIA lab staff and graduate students with facility operations, including but not limited to synthesis, slicing, polishing, and characterization of silicon carbide materials,  

• Ensure compliance with Penn State health, safety, and environmental regulations,  

• Wear appropriate PPE in the lab as required, 

• Follow appropriate health and safety protocols and procedures to mitigate risks, 

• Follow and report problems to lab staff to track progress of scientific tests,  

• Ready to learn new equipment and test methodologies, 

• Help lab staff to keep lab environment clean, 

• Help lab staff with equipment maintenance and service activities, 

Education and Experience: 

• Minimum of high school graduate,  

• Able to work up to 20 hours per week,  

• Able to lift material up to 50 lbs. 

• Able to follow and implement Penn State EHS training and regulatory requirements, 

• Experience in working in a research environment, with preferred expertise in silicon carbide synthesis and processing, 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work in a scientific environment, 

• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment.