Post Doctorate Research Associate - MOF/COF and Polymer Synthesis

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 synthetic chemistry, materials science, and electrochemistry. This position is for a synthetic chemist or materials scientist with broad, hands-on experience in the design, synthesis, and characterization of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and functional polymers. Experience applying these materials in energy storage applications is a plus.
The primary focus of this role is to drive innovative research within a growing team of scientists and engineers on the rational design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and functional polymers. The successful candidate will work collaboratively across interrelated projects, tuning building-block chemistry, framework topology, pore environment, and functional groups to achieve targeted structures and properties such as ionic conductivity, selectivity, and stability.
Project work will include the synthesis and advanced characterization of framework materials and polymers (e.g., XRD, gas sorption/BET, NMR, FTIR, electron microscopy, and electrochemical methods), as well as systematic evaluation of their structure–property relationships. The successful candidate will be responsible for materials development from molecular and monomer design through synthesis and characterization, with the opportunity to integrate promising materials into energy storage devices, in coordination with senior scientists and the project manager. 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

• PhD received within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
• Ph.D. in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, polymer science, or other related fields.
• Experience with the design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and/or functional polymers.
• Excellent problem-solving skills based on a thorough understanding of synthetic chemistry and electrochemistry.
• Ability to work safely and independently under supervision.
• Expertise in evaluating ion- and charge-transport mechanisms in framework or polymeric materials, such as single-ion conduction or mixed ionic–electronic conduction.
• Passion for publication to disseminate research findings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience applying MOFs, COFs, and functional polymers in energy storage applications.
• Experience in energy storage applications—such as single-ion-conducting electrolytes or organic solid-state electrolytes.
• Strong publication record.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovative research within a growing team of scientists and engineers on the rational design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and functional polymers.
• Work collaboratively across interrelated projects, tuning building-block chemistry, framework topology, pore environment, and functional groups to achieve targeted structures and properties such as ionic conductivity, selectivity, and stability.
• Conduct synthesis and advanced characterization of framework materials and polymers (e.g., XRD, gas sorption/BET, NMR, FTIR, electron microscopy, and electrochemical methods).
• Systematically evaluate structure–property relationships of synthesized materials.
• Be responsible for materials development from molecular and monomer design through synthesis and characterization.
• Integrate promising materials into energy storage devices, in coordination with senior scientists and the project manager.
• 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