Post Doctorate RA - Molecular Catalysis Mechanisms

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

8h • $69,000 - $119,100

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate's (PCSD’s) strengths in experimental, computational, and theoretical chemistry and materials science, together with our advanced computing, applied mathematics and data science capabilities, are central to the discovery mission we embrace at PNNL. But our most important resource is our people—experts across the range of scientific disciplines who team together to take on the biggest scientific challenges of our time.
The Physical Sciences Division stewards discovery science research portfolios including catalysis, materials science, separations, analytical chemistry, geosciences, and chemical physics. Our research strives to refine our molecular-level understanding of multiphase systems and phenomena including complex interfaces. We discover and apply new knowledge to address major national priorities and needs in energy sustainability through the development of new energy storage technologies and the creation of high-value fuels and materials from abundant wastes.
Contribute to PNNL’s goals in catalysis as part of the Lab’s Physical Sciences Division (PSD). As an experimental Post Doctorate RA in the Catalysis Science group, you will join a multi-investigator team to explore the design, synthesis, characterization, and mechanistic studies of hydrogen activation and transfer by molecular catalysts for the selective transformation of carbon oxygenate feedstocks. You will be mentored by prominent researchers as you develop your experimental research and understand structure-function design concepts for molecular catalysts, often in close collaboration with computational and heterogeneous catalysis colleagues.
As a postdoctoral researcher at a national laboratory widely recognized for its work in chemistry, catalysis, and basic science, you will work in a vibrant, multi-investigator research program studying the fundamental mechanisms of novel catalysts for energy-relevant chemical conversions. You should be comfortable taking initiative, eager to learn new skills and techniques, and driven to advance your projects within the program’s broader goals. Adaptability, curiosity, and commitment to teamwork are essential.

Requirements

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Chemistry or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in kinetic and mechanistic analysis of molecular catalysts, including but not limited to methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry, and stopped-flow techniques.
• Synthesis and manipulation of air- and moisture-sensitive materials (Glovebox and Schlenk techniques) ranging from ligand design to organometallic complexes.
• Proficiency in a range of experimental analytical techniques, including but not limited to infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, X-ray crystallography, and cyclic voltammetry.
• Quantitative simulation of chemical reaction networks with modeling software such as COPASI.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research in mechanistic studies of homogeneous catalysts and work on team-based tasks
• Lead manuscript development and maintain a strong overall publication record
• Cultivate a deep knowledge of current project-relevant literature
• Interact, communicate and work responsibly to safely and efficiently solve problems within a diverse team of co-workers
• Present research at technical conferences, project review meetings, and internal divisional seminars
• Participate in the ideation, development, and down-selecting of new research directions

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered 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, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees