Sr. Materials Scientist - Solid Oxide Electrolyzer/Fuel Cell

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

23d

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.
The Applied Materials and Manufacturing Group at PNNL is seeking a materials scientist to lead research and development of high-temperature electrolyzers made using innovative metal and ceramics manufacturing and processing approaches. This position will conduct research in hydrogen production and contribute to energy resiliency. The position holder will become an integral part of a team that is working to dramatically improve materials performance and energy efficiency.
The position holder should be an expert in at least one technical domain, with the ability to connect multiple domains. Sought after for technical leadership to select and develop approaches to complex challenges. Uses established cross-organizational network, external peers, and clients to further outcomes. The position holder will be a principal investigator or co-PI on multiple or significantly complex and/or high-risk projects or tasks, and/or involving multiple tasks, capabilities, and organizations. Develops and realizes new significant project opportunities, leading the development of technical sections of large proposals. Takes lead in scope, schedule, and budget for projects or large tasks. Mentors junior staff and peers. Recognized by sponsors and collaborators for delivery on important program elements.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, catalysis, physics, or related field with 5+ years of industrial or national research laboratory experience, or MS/MA with 7+ years of similar experience
• A professional reputation for technical expertise and technical leadership within the SOEC and SOFC field
• Experience as principal investigator on multiple or significantly complex and/or high-risk projects or tasks
• Demonstrated record of publication in top-tier journals and an ability to collaborate and lead within a teaming environment.
• Experience in high-temperature ceramics characterization
• 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
• Good understanding of advanced fabrication techniques and quality controls
• Ability to critically assess and benchmark electrochemical and analytical data
• In-depth knowledge of advanced analytical surface and bulk characterization techniques
• Interest and experience in data analysis and machine learning
• 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
• Strong writing and communication skills

Responsibilities

• The position holder will lead small research teams to fabricate, characterize, and test high-temperature electrochemical solid oxide cells, perform electrode kinetics evaluation, and conduct durability studies to understand the performance limitations and degradation of the electrochemical devices.
• The position holder will interface and collaborate with other researchers to deliver on project milestones.
• Develop and execute experimental plans to synthesize and characterize materials for high-temperature electrolyzers
• Direct laboratory work with the support of other technical staff
• Analyze electrochemical data and formulate conclusions
• Support scoping, scheduling, and budgeting at a project or major task level
• Serve as a role model for quality, safety, and security
• Author and contributor 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