Carbon Nanotube Research Scientist

Job Title: Carbon Nanotube Research Scientist

Location: Florida City, FL (Onsite)

Estimated Duration: 6 Weeks

Project summary
The research project investigates whether external magnetic fields can improve the consistency, yield, alignment, and morphology of carbon nanotubes produced through chemical vapor deposition, or CVD. The core problem is that CNT production remains difficult to standardize at commercial scale, and while prior studies suggest magnetic fields can influence CNT growth, there is limited reproducible data showing how magnetic field strength and orientation affect CNT morphology under controlled reactor conditions. His project proposes to test this systematically using a compact tube CVD reactor, mounted magnets, local magnetic field measurements, SEM characterization, and statistical analysis.  
The experimental plan includes varying magnetic field strength and orientation, including axial, transverse, and oblique configurations, while measuring CNT characteristics such as diameter, alignment, density, bundling, yield, and purity. The project is expected to involve reactor and magnet setup, CVD runs lasting several hours each, SEM imaging (provided in the student’s lab), sample measurement, and final statistical analysis/write-up. Because the work involves high-temperature CVD equipment, volatile gas handling, magnets, catalyst/substrate preparation, and post-run material characterization, the student conducting the test is seeking technical guidance from an experienced engineer or lab professional to support safe execution without taking ownership of the scientific work itself.  
6-week contract engineer / lab advisor job description
Title: Contract Engineer / Lab Safety Advisor – Carbon Nanotube CVD Research Project
Duration: 6 weeks, summer session
Location: On-site lab support, schedule to be coordinated around experimental runs
Engagement type: Short-term contract / consulting role
We are looking to hire an experienced engineer, materials scientist, chemical engineer, mechanical engineer, or lab technologist to support a student-led summer research project involving chemical vapor deposition synthesis of carbon nanotubes under varying magnetic field conditions. The selected advisor will work alongside the student during a 6-week live lab session to help with experimental setup, equipment safety, process discipline, and technical troubleshooting. The objective is not to do the project for the student, but to provide adult technical supervision and practical guidance so the research can be conducted safely, consistently, and professionally. A large part of the guidance will be focused on gas handling through CVD, particularly with the gas acetylene.
The project involves use of a compact tube CVD reactor, mounted magnets, catalyst/substrate handling, gas flow setup, high-temperature furnace operation, sample weighing, SEM preparation/coordination, and collection of data related to CNT yield, alignment, morphology, and density. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with high-temperature lab equipment, CVD or thin-film/materials processing, gas systems, laboratory safety protocols, and experimental documentation. Experience with carbon nanotubes, nanomaterials, SEM characterization, magnetic field mapping, CVD, flammable gas handling, or university/industrial research labs would be highly valuable.
Key responsibilities

• Review the proposed experimental plan and identify safety, equipment, and procedural risks before lab work begins.
• Help assess the CVD reactor setup, magnet mounting approach, gas flow configuration, and furnace operating procedures.
• Provide hands-on safety supervision during setup, testing, and CVD runs.
• Guide safe handling of gases, catalysts, substrates, magnets, heated components, and CNT samples.
• Help the student develop repeatable procedures for each experimental condition.
• Support troubleshooting if equipment, temperature, gas flow, magnet placement, or sample preparation issues arise.
• Help ensure that the student documents each run consistently, including operating conditions, deviations, observations, and sample outputs.
• Provide practical guidance on SEM sample preparation and measurement consistency, where applicable.
• Maintain the student’s ownership of the research, hypothesis, data analysis, and conclusions.

Desired qualifications

• Background in chemical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, CVD related studies, or a related technical field.
• Prior experience in a laboratory, university research environment, industrial R&D setting, or advanced materials facility.
• Familiarity with CVD, tube furnaces, high-temperature processes, gas flow systems, vacuum/inert atmosphere systems, or nanomaterials synthesis.
• Strong practical safety orientation, especially around heated equipment, compressed gases, reactive materials, and experimental setups.
• Ability to mentor a high school student without overtaking the project.
• Experience with CNTs, SEM imaging, magnetic field measurement, or statistical experimental design is a plus.

Ideal profile
This role is best suited for a hands-on engineer or lab professional who enjoys mentoring young researchers and can bring calm, disciplined, safety-first oversight to a technically ambitious student project. The right person should be comfortable helping a student translate a research proposal into a safe, controlled, well-documented lab process while preserving the educational purpose of the project.