Research Scientist, Materials Synthesis

About Periodic Labs

The most important scientific discoveries of our time won’t happen in a traditional lab. We’re an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what’s scientifically possible.

About the Role

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 computational predictions into reality through solid state materials chemistry. In this role, you will both develop new materials synthesis approaches and be part of the team developing autonomous discovery loops.

What You’ll Do

• Develop strategies to synthesize novel solid state materials

• Reveal and control the atomic structure of these materials through advanced characterization

• Collaborate with the AI team in the development of predictive tools and analysis techniques grounded in chemistry and materials science

• Collaborate with the engineering team to design and test new automated laboratory hardware for synthesis and characterization

You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have

• PhD in chemistry, physics, or materials science, with 5+ years of hands-on experience

• Proficiency with a diverse range of synthesis methods within solid state materials chemistry, including air-sensitive materials

• Strong structural characterization skills across diffraction, microscopy, and spectroscopy

• Experience in characterizing the properties of crystalline materials

• Motivation by fundamental science questions that ultimately enable transformative applied materials

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

• Experience with collaborations between computational and experimental researchers

• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety

Especially Strong Candidates May Also Have

• Experience collaborating with national user facilities

• Novel synthesis or characterization technique or instrument development

• Experience handling experimental data at scale

• Experience with lab automation, software development, or similar tools to accelerate R&D data generation

Mechanics

Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and training or experience

Location: Our lab is located in Menlo Park and we prefer folks to be located in Menlo Park or San Francisco but can be flexible based on role

Compensation: The annual base compensation range for this role is $160,000–$220,000, commensurate with experience

Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas and will do everything we can to assist in this process with our legal support.

We’re building a team of the world’s best — the scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who don’t just follow the frontier, they define it. If you’re driven to bring AI to life in the physical world and make discoveries that have never been made before, you belong here.