Postdoctoral Research Associate Chemistry
Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University.
Organizational Overview
The Chemistry Division conducts basic and applied research in the chemical sciences to address national priorities, with a focus on energy science. Research groups pursue basic research and applications in catalysis and electrocatalysis, artificial photosynthesis, gas and condensed phase chemical physics, electron and photon-induced molecular processes, and electrochemical energy storage.
Group Information
The Electrochemical Energy Storage group carries out research on advanced materials for electrochemical energy storage and is a leader in applying in situ characterization methods to understand and improve performance of both materials and assembled battery cells. The group is a member of the VTO Battery500 consortium of USDOE. For more information, please visit the group website: http://www.bnl.gov/chemistry/EES/
Position Description
The successful applicant will work on the development and application of battery research projects involving characterization studies, including the development and application of synchrotron x-ray, electron- and neutron-based techniques to elucidate crystal structural, electronic structural and morphological changes of battery materials under various conditions such as voltage and temperature cycles. The position will be primarily focused on developing and applying various advanced characterization techniques to study electrode and electrolyte materials for Li-ion and beyond Li-ion batteries, such as Na-ion, Li-S, and Li-metal batteries. Emphasis will be put on using x-ray absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM); transmission x-ray microscopy TXM, and x-ray/neutron diffraction to characterize battery materials.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Design and carry out synchrotron and neutron-based characterization studies for battery research projects in the EES group.
- Develop and coordinate collaborative research with collaborators from other research institutions, as well as from industrial companies.
- Prepare and write manuscripts for publications in scientific journals and present research results in scientific conferences and DOE program review.
Position Requirements
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- A PhD degree in relevant fields (e.g. Chemistry, Material Science and Engineering, Physics, Physical Chemistry, Electrochemistry and Chemical engineering) and a minimum of three years of research experience (including the graduate research) in battery research field.
- Hands-on knowledge and experience for synchrotron-based and electron spectroscopy, microscopy, and scattering techniques such as XRD, XAS, x-ray PDF, TXM, and TEM with skills in experimental design, data acquisition and data analysis.
- Good English writing and oral skills for publications and presentations.
- Excellent publication record.
- Effective communication skills.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (at least one or more of the following):
- Experience in material synthesis for sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery cathodes.
- Knowledge and experience in using Rietveld refinement for quantitative analysis of battery materials.
- Experience with advanced x-ray spectroscopy techniques in addition to x-ray absorption spectroscopy.
- Ability to integrate synchrotron-, electron-, and neutron-based experiments for battery research.
- Ability to characterize electrochemical properties of battery materials using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic/potentiostatic intermittent titration techniques, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
- Knowledge of diverse energy storage systems such as Na-ion, Li-S and Li-metal batteries.
Other information:
- Initial 2-year term appointment subject to extension to a 3rd year contingent on performance and funding
- BNL policy requires that research associate appointments be made to individuals who have received their doctorate within the past five years.
At Brookhaven National Laboratory we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (vacation, holidays, sick leave, paid parental leave)
- 401(k) Plan
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
- Employee Fitness/Wellness & Recreation: Gym/Basketball Courts, Weight Room, Fitness Classes, Indoor Pool, Tennis Courts, Sports Clubs/Activities (Basketball, Ping Pong, Softball, Tennis)
Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate are committed to your success. We offer a supportive work environment and the resources necessary for you to succeed.
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and diversity at our Lab.We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
BNL takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.Please contact us to request accommodation.
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