Electrochemical Engineering Postdoctoral Scholar

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

In this exciting role, you will simulate mathematically fuel cell systems and other related electrochemical devices and their components under both steady state and transient operation in The Energy Conversion Group at Energy Technologies and Systems Division of the Energy Technologies Area. Your work will entail model development, validation, and execution including collaboration with research partners, to verify and explain predicted trends seen in experimental data. The model should identify critical barriers and provide strategies to enable performance optimization and durability mitigation. In addition to cell level modeling, particular emphasis will be on understanding multi-ion transport and durability stressors including structure/function relationships across multiple time and length scales. Additionally, incorporating AI/ML into the multiphysics models via surrogate models or other data-driven methods will be a focus in this position. We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Requirements

• PhD in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, or closely related field.
• Experience with mathematical modeling (i.e., continuum modeling) including in the application of transport phenomena in fuel cells or related devices and at various scales.
• Familiarity with high performance computing and code development and use including the use of AI/ML and surrogate model development for multiscale analysis
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written as well as technical writing.
• Ability to learn rapidly and integrate new fields to demonstrate creative problem-solving skills
• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment and collaborate with researchers from various backgrounds
• Ability to work as an independent researcher with a high level of scientific judgment and initiative.
• Knowledge of electrochemistry and related diagnostic methods and materials for fuel cells (both low and intermediate temperatures).
• Knowledge of constitutive relations and continuum theories.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative for tackling cross-disciplinary research problems from initiation to meaningful conclusion.
• Experience with electrochemistry, hydrogen fuel cells, and transport phenomena.
• Demonstrated strong experience with finite-element methods and Comsol.
• Familiarity with machine learning and associated big data techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine mathematical models to examine multidimensional, multiphysics, transport within an electrochemical cell including its various constitutive layers (e.g., porous transport layers, gas-diffusion and microporous layers, membrane, and catalyst layers).
• Analyze the results to examine limiting factors in performance as well as identify areas of deficiency in the model and propose new mathematical constructs to deal with them.
• Pursue microstructural simulations of transient phenomena within single components.
• Use AI/ML approaches (e.g., physics-informed neural networks) for surrogate model development
• Validate model activities and comparison of simulation to experimental data for both input parameters and output results.
• Publish original research in peer-reviewed journals; contribute to scientific publications; present research through talks and posters at conferences, workshops, and multi-investigator meetings.
• Adhere with the Berkeley Lab and ETA safety requirements.
• Work on meeting milestones and reporting them to DOE and industrial sponsors
• Collaborate and work with a team of researchers from diverse backgrounds, and interface with research teams from across industry, academia, and national laboratories
• Work on experimental characterization of cell performance and measurement of component properties.
• Interact with the LBNL fuel cell and electrochemistry community (with extensive experience in batteries, modeling of batteries and fuel cells, electrode material synthesis, spectroscopy, detailed diagnostics, and cell design) to aid in electrochemistry research.
• Participate in professional society activities.

Benefits

• The position will be full-time for 2 years, with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
• Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree