The Decontamination Sciences Branch (DSB) in the Research and Operations directorate at DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center (CBC) performs fundamental and applied research associated with the neutralization, removal, and mitigation of chemical warfare agent hazards that arise from contaminated and post-decontaminated materials (i.e., transport and reaction). This position (experimental or theoretical) will support the development of structure-process-property relationships for novel polymers and polymer-based composites with an emphasis on chemical resistance and material-chemical interactions. A key focus is to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive these processes.  Experimental characterization at DEVCOM CBC has involved the use of FTIR-ATR, DMA, AFM, QCM-D, as well as the development of new methods and techniques. Theory & Computation at CBC includes first-principles methods, molecular dynamics, AI/ML, mesoscale and continuum transport modeling, as well as probabilistic and uncertainty quantification methods. Close communication and collaboration with related projects and teams engaged in both experiment and theory is highly encouraged.

References

1. Solvent Selection Guided by Self-Consistent Field Theory for Improved Dispersion of Metal-Organic Frameworks in Polymers, M. J. Varady, C. S. Schenning, C. B. Thompson, B. A. Mantooth, G. W. Peterson, and T. P. Pearl, ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 6, 888-895 (2024).
2. Effect of interfacial regions and surface functional groups on chemical transport in polymer-particle composites, A. R. Hinkle, M. A. Browe, I. O, Iordanov, B. A. Mantooth, T. P. Pearl, and M. J. Varady, J. Phys. Chem. C 127, 11231-11239 (2023).
3. Composition-dependent multicomponent diffusivity of 2,5-lutidine with acetonitrile in polyurethane, M. J. Varady, D. A. Boyne, T. P. Pearl, R. H. Lambeth, and B. A. Mantooth, Polymer 180, 121697 (2019).

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Additional Benefits

Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.

A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.