Post Doctorate RA - Battery Materials & Systems

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We deliver new technologies that connect fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage. We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development, and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization.

The Battery Materials & Systems Group within the Energy and Environment Directorate seeks an outstanding postdoctoral research scientist with a strong background in inorganic synthesis, materials science, and electrochemistry. This position is for an inorganic chemist, materials scientist, or electrochemist with hands-on experience in the design, synthesis, and characterization of electrochemical materials for energy conversion. The primary focus of this role is to drive innovative research within a growing team of scientists and engineers developing advanced electrocatalysts, inorganic proton conducting membranes, and other functional materials for fuel cells, electrochemical CO2 reduction, and related electrochemical energy conversion systems. The successful candidate will work collaboratively across interrelated projects, focusing on the rational design of inorganic materials—such as platinum-group-metal and non-precious-metal catalysts, mixed-metal oxides, and nanostructured composites—to enhance activity, selectivity, and durability under operating conditions. Project work will include the synthesis and advanced characterization of inorganic electrochemical materials (e.g., XRD, XPS, electron microscopy, and electrochemical methods), as well as systematic evaluation of their performance in half-cell and full-cell configurations. The successful candidate will be responsible for catalyst and/or inorganic proton membrane development from materials discovery through electrode fabrication, membrane–electrode assembly integration, and device-level testing, in coordination with senior scientists and the project manager. Additionally, the candidate will have opportunities to leverage automated and high-throughput experimental workflows—including robotic synthesis platforms, automated electrochemical test stations, and machine-learning-guided experimental design—to accelerate materials discovery and optimization. They will also prepare manuscripts for publication, present their work internally and externally at national/international conferences, and develop new ideas for funded research.

Requirements

• Received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
• Ph.D. in electrochemistry, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or other related fields.
• Experience with the design and synthesis of inorganic catalytic and functional materials.
• Problem-solving skills based on a thorough understanding of electrochemistry.
• Ability to work safely and independently under supervision.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with ceramic materials or mixed electronic and ionic conductors is a plus.
• Expertise in evaluating complex charge transport mechanisms, such as mixed conduction or specialized ion conductivity.
• Experience with laboratory automation, high-throughput experimentation, or programming (e.g., Python) for instrument control and data analysis is a plus.
• Passion for publication to disseminate the research findings.
• Strong publication record is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovative research within a growing team of scientists and engineers developing advanced electrocatalysts, inorganic proton conducting membranes, and other functional materials for fuel cells, electrochemical CO2 reduction, and related electrochemical energy conversion systems.
• Work collaboratively across interrelated projects, focusing on the rational design of inorganic materials—such as platinum-group-metal and non-precious-metal catalysts, mixed-metal oxides, and nanostructured composites—to enhance activity, selectivity, and durability under operating conditions.
• Conduct synthesis and advanced characterization of inorganic electrochemical materials (e.g., XRD, XPS, electron microscopy, and electrochemical methods).
• Systematically evaluate the performance of materials in half-cell and full-cell configurations.
• Oversee catalyst and/or inorganic proton membrane development from materials discovery through electrode fabrication, membrane–electrode assembly integration, and device-level testing, in coordination with senior scientists and the project manager.
• Leverage automated and high-throughput experimental workflows—including robotic synthesis platforms, automated electrochemical test stations, and machine-learning-guided experimental design—to accelerate materials discovery and optimization.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication.
• Present work internally and externally at national/international conferences.
• Develop new ideas for funded research.

Benefits

• health insurance
• flexible work schedules
• medical insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• robust telehealth care options
• several mental health benefits
• free wellness coaching
• health savings account
• flexible spending accounts
• basic life insurance
• disability insurance
• employee assistance program
• business travel insurance
• tuition assistance
• relocation
• backup childcare
• legal benefits
• supplemental parental bonding leave
• surrogacy and adoption assistance
• fertility support
• company-funded pension plan
• 401 (k) savings plan with company match
• 120 vacation hours per year
• ten paid holidays per year

What This Job Offers

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