Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Materials Scientist 2

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

5d

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 Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
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.
This materials scientist position in the Applied Materials and Manufacturing Group will conduct research on high-efficiency solid oxide energy conversion systems at the forefront of energy technology. The position holder will fabricate, characterize, and test high temperature electrochemical solid oxide cells, perform electrode kinetics evaluations and durability studies to understand the potential performance limitations, and propose mitigation strategy to extend life of the electrochemical devices. The position holder will work as an integrated member of the team, interfacing and collaborating with other researchers.
At the level of Materials Scientist 2, the performance expectations are that the staff member will:
Build a reputation through application of science and engineering principles and theories.
Develop technical approaches to solve challenges.
Build a technical network within PNNL and teams with others to optimize research. Mentor junior staff and students.
Receive guidance on new assignments, making preliminary selections on technical alternatives; independently completes recurring assignments.
Define and lead project work at a small task/project level, reporting results on time and on budget.
Contribute actively to proposals.
Embrace expectations for quality, safety, and security.
Present at national or international forums and conferences.
Lead elements or sections of journal articles, reports, and other technical products.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, catalysis, physics, or related field with 1+ year of industrial or national laboratory experience.
• Extensive experience in electrochemical characterization of solid oxide cells and solid-state electrochemistry, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, current interrupt, equivalent circuit modeling, and distribution of relaxation times.
• Experience in high temperature ceramics characterization.
• Experience in advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Experience in catalysis and electrocatalysis.
• Detail oriented; self-motivated; and works well with deadlines to deliver high quality, timely results.
• Works well in a team environment.
• Good writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing experimental plans to synthesize and characterize materials for high temperature electrolyzers.
• Performing electrochemical characterization and data analysis.
• Carrying out laboratory work independently with the support of other technical staff.
• Clearly documenting experimental results and reporting findings to the team at regular intervals.
• Performing work safely and in accordance with lab policy and training.
• Contributing to scientific publications, presentations at professional society conferences and/or to sponsors.

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