Postdoctoral Research Associate - Ames National Laboratory

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a beautiful university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames National Laboratory! Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of civility and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success. The successful candidate will design and advance novel materials and processing technologies for permanent magnets and critical materials systems, including platforms under development at Ames National Laboratory that address domestic supply-chain resilience. The role will pursue mechanisms, structure–property relationships, and phase evolution, associated with the discovery, synthesis, and optimization of magnetic materials, alloys, and critical-materials chemistries. Particular emphasis will be placed on efficient utilization of critical elements, rare-earth processing and fluorination chemistries, and the development of high-performance materials through both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Candidates should be prepared to broaden their expertise across multiple material classes, with particular focus on DOE-designated critical materials and permanent-magnet technologies. The role requires operation and upkeep of several laboratory equipment and systems including high-temperature furnaces, vacuum and inert-atmosphere systems, gloveboxes, etc. It includes the use of standard characterization methodologies including magnetic, microstructural, phase, chemical, mechanical and thermal approaches, etc. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work with their supervisor to collaborate with Division of Critical Materials researchers, Ames National Laboratory investigators, and partners across the Critical Materials Innovation Hub and other programs to perform cutting-edge research. Responsibilities include conceiving, planning, and executing experiments; analyzing and interpreting results; and presenting and defending findings in internal reviews and at professional meetings. The incumbent will author manuscripts; contribute to proposal development; mentor students; and support broader program activities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in experimental Material Science, Condensed Matter Physics, Chemistry or closely-related disciplines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with and understanding of domestic critical materials challenges related to supply risk of both materials, equipment, and processing capabilities required for secure and resilient domestic manufacturing.
• Demonstrated expertise in the development of novel magnetic materials through both top-down and bottom-up synthesis approaches aimed at addressing critical materials challenges.
• Experience in optimizing alloy chemistry, structure, and properties to improve functional performance in the use of critical materials through compositional design, microstructural analysis, and advanced processing methods.
• Proven experience and ability in the development of processing techniques for magnetic materials, including synthesis approaches that enable engineered geometries to enable magnetic hardening in rare earth free systems.
• Experience with the synthesis and processing of rare-earth fluorides and related compounds, particularly in the context of metal production, separation, or advanced materials applications.
• Experience in high-entropy or compositionally complex materials synthesis, with the ability to leverage these concepts toward next-generation critical-materials technologies.
• Proven experience and ability to conduct advanced characterization (Magnetometers, XRD, SEM/EDS/TEM, ICP-OES/MS, DSC/TGA-GC-MS; etc.).
• Proven experience and ability in technical writing and communication skills; ability to defend methods/results in reviews and at professional meetings.

Responsibilities

• conceiving, planning, and executing experiments
• analyzing and interpreting results
• presenting and defending findings in internal reviews and at professional meetings
• author manuscripts
• contribute to proposal development
• mentor students
• support broader program activities

Benefits

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing Program

What This Job Offers

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