Post Doctorate Research Associate - Catalytic Hydrogenation for Catalysis

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

7d • Onsite

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, Integrated Discovery 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 Integrated Discovery Sciences Directorate (IDSD) leads fundamental research across biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, materials science, advanced computing, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, mathematics, autonomy, and DOE national user facilities. Our vision is to accelerate scientific discovery by observing, understanding, simulating, predicting, and controlling dynamic biotic-abiotic processes and interactions within complex biological, chemical, material, and Earth systems. We intentionally connect disciplines to advance fundamental discovery science, develop transformative scientific capabilities, and address the nation's most important challenges in energy, environmental resilience, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, health, and national security.

Requirements

• Received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
• Laboratory proficiency geared toward heterogeneous catalysis.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D education in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field
• Demonstrated training and aptitude in Chemical Sciences
• Ability to assemble and operate experimental catalysis experiments
• Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation such as TG/DSC, GC/MS, chemisorption, etc.
• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communications skills

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the experimental catalytic hydrogenation materials effort within PNNL’s DOE Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks program.
• Study hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) using robust heterogeneous catalysts and economically viable processes.
• Develop alternative ammonia synthesis methods using processes such as chemical looping.
• Synthesize catalysts, including metals on supports.
• Study catalyst performance in batch and continuous reactors.
• Design experiments and laboratory set-up.
• Conduct independent research and work on team assignments.
• Interact, communicate, and problem solve with a diverse team of research staff within the Catalysis Science Group, Physical Sciences Division, and across PNNL.
• Prepare progress reports and lead manuscript development for the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• Present research at technical conferences and project/program review meetings.
• Participate in the development of new research ideas and proposals.

Benefits

• health insurance
• flexible work schedules
• medical insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• telehealth care options
• mental health benefits
• 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
• vacation hours
• paid holidays

What This Job Offers

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