Research Scientist, Materials Characterization

Periodic Labs is an AI + physical sciences lab focused on novel scientific discoveries, rapidly growing and well-funded. They seek a Research Scientist for their experimental team to push boundaries in materials research using AI and automation. This role involves developing new material characterization approaches and contributing to autonomous discovery loops, bringing AI predictions into reality through physics and measurement science.

Must Have

• Develop and perform high-fidelity thermodynamic, transport, and spectroscopic measurements of materials
• Develop rapid property measurement schemes to scale up the material characterization process
• Implement automated data analysis and reasoning pipelines for screened materials in collaboration with our AI team
• Develop autonomous systems for property characterization leveraging robotics in collaboration with our engineering team

Good to Have

• Experience with automation of physical property measurements
• Previous experience with computational prediction and experimental characterization design loop
• Experience with lab buildout and process safety
• Experience with handling data at scale

Employment Type

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Full time

Location Type

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On-site

Department

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Atoms: Lab, physics, chemistry, etc.

Type: Full-time, 12-month term

**About Periodic Labs

**We are an AI + physical sciences lab building state of the art models to make novel scientific discoveries. We are well funded and growing rapidly. Team members are owners who identify and solve problems without boundaries or bureaucracy. We eagerly learn new tools and new science to push forward our mission.

What to Expect

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Join a world-class team of scientists and engineers pushing the boundaries of materials research in a groundbreaking lab where AI and automation unlock discoveries at unprecedented speed and scale.

As a Research Scientist within the Periodic Labs experimental effort, you bring AI predictions into reality through physics and measurement science. In this role, you will both develop new material characterization approaches and be part of the team developing autonomous discovery loops.

Responsibilities

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• Physical Property Measurements: Develop and perform high-fidelity thermodynamic, transport, and spectroscopic measurements of materials

• High-throughput Screening: Develop rapid property measurement schemes to scale up the material characterization process

• Analysis: In collaboration with our AI team, implement automated data analysis and reasoning pipelines for screened materials

• Automation: In collaboration with our engineering team, develop autonomous systems for property characterization leveraging robotics

Qualifications

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• PhD in Physics, Materials Science, or related field, with 5+ years of hands-on experience in the field

• Deep, demonstrated expertise in physical property characterization including electronic and magnetic measurements

• Strong background in cryogenic measurements and low-noise techniques (lock-in methods, shielding/grounding, precision instrumentation).

• Strong track record of performing highly impactful research, demonstrated by publications in top tier journals and/or inventions, and recognized leadership in the field

• Proficiency with data analysis (e.g., Python/Jupyter, familiarity with instrument SDKs a plus) and disciplined data management.

• Excellent scientific writing, collaboration across disciplines, and strong ownership of experiment quality.

Bonus Qualifications

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• Experience with automation of physical property measurements

• Previous experience with computational prediction and experimental characterization design loop

• Experience with lab buildout and process safety

• Experience with handling data at scale