Research Scientist Domain Lead - Advanced Materials

This is a senior individual contributor role—a domain expert position that does not carry direct people management responsibilities. As the Research Scientist Domain Lead for Advanced Materials, you will serve as Vertiv's principal technical expert on materials innovation research, provide strategic guidance on materials technology initiatives, and coordinate research efforts across internal teams and external partners. You will contribute original research, help prioritize materials projects within Vertiv's Horizon 3 portfolio, and ensure research activities align with both near-term product needs and long-term strategic positioning in thermal, power, and structural materials for critical infrastructure.

Reports to: Emerging Technology & Research Leader
Location: Columbus, OH

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research & Technical Strategy

• Lead or co-lead research projects in advanced materials for critical infrastructure applications, conducting original research in materials science innovations including graphene-enhanced technologies, superconducting materials, thermal interface materials, or related materials science.
• Evaluate and prioritize research initiatives against killer assumptions and technical feasibility.
• Provide expert technical assessment and recommendations on research programs spanning: solid state materials, liquid cooling fluids and additives, superconducting materials, advanced thermal interface materials, novel structural solutions and emerging material compositions for power and thermal applications.
• Design, conduct, and validate experimental materials characterization and testing programs.
• Present research outcomes and technical findings to internal stakeholders, customers, and executive leadership.
• Contribute to Vertiv's intellectual property strategy by identifying patentable innovations and supporting patent development.

Cross-Functional Research Coordination

• Coordinate research efforts between internal teams (Power Systems, Thermal Systems, IT Infrastructure, Business Units) and external research partners.
• Identify technical dependencies and interfaces across research programs.
• Provide expert materials guidance and material selection recommendations for Vertiv product evaluations and system designs.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and technical collaboration across Vertiv's materials innovation initiatives.
• Coordinate with Vertiv Business Unit Advanced Technology & Strategy leaders to align research with product roadmaps.

External & University Partnerships

• Identify, evaluate, and recommend university and research institution partnerships to extend Vertiv's advanced materials capabilities.
• Represent Vertiv in technical collaborations, research consortia, and industry conferences.
• Build and maintain Vertiv's reputation as a thought leader in advanced materials for critical infrastructure.

PREFERRED AREAS OF TECHNOLOGICAL FOCUS:

Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas:

• Thermal interface materials (TIMs)
• Wide-bandgap semiconductor substrates and interfaces
• High thermal conductivity composites
• Thermal conduction adhesives and bonding materials
• Advanced dielectric and insulation materials
• Liquid cooling fluids and additives
• Superconducting materials
• Structural and lightweight materials 

REQUIREMENTS

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related discipline.
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline may be considered with exceptional research and development experience in advanced materials (8+ years).
• 5+ years of professional experience in materials science or advanced materials research, development, or applied engineering.
• Design and execution of experimental materials characterization and testing programs.
• Experience leading or co-leading research projects (no direct management required) across multiple technical disciplines and university or government research partnerships.

PREFERRED:

• Track record of translating research into commercial products, prototypes, or technical specifications.
• Deep, current knowledge of materials science, materials characterization, and emerging materials technologies.
• Ability to design, conduct, and interpret complex materials testing and validation experiments.
• Strong technical judgment in evaluating research feasibility and risk.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; skilled presenter at conferences and executive forums.
• Comfortable translating between technical and commercial language.
• Ability to build credibility and trust with internal teams, leadership, and external research partners.
• Track record of identifying and developing novel research directions in materials science.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize solutions from interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
• Travel: 10–15% for research collaboration meetings, university partnerships, customer technical engagements, and technical conferences.

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