Theory Post Doctorate RA - Chemical Physics

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

2d • 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, 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 Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate's (PCSD’s) strengths in experimental, computational, and theoretical chemistry and materials science, together with our advanced computing, applied mathematics and data science capabilities, are central to the discovery mission we embrace at PNNL. But our most important resource is our people—experts across the range of scientific disciplines who team together to take on the biggest scientific challenges of our time.
The Physical Sciences Division stewards discovery science research portfolios including catalysis, materials science, separations, analytical chemistry, geosciences, and chemical physics. Our research strives to refine our molecular-level understanding of multiphase systems and phenomena including complex interfaces. We discover and apply new knowledge to address major national priorities and needs in energy sustainability through the development of new energy storage technologies and the creation of high-value fuels and materials from abundant wastes.
We are seeking a Post Doctorate Research Associate in theoretical and computational chemical physics to join the Chemical Physics Theory Group in the Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
The research focuses on developing theoretical methods to quantum dynamics and flow methods to model electron and proton dynamics in molecular systems. This work combines electronic structure theory, quantum dynamics, and machine learning approaches.
This theory position is based at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington and involves multi-institutional collaborations.

Requirements

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, or a related field.
• Expertise in ground- and excited-state electronic structure methods, ab initio molecular dynamics, and nonadiabatic dynamics.
• Experience with scientific programming and code development.
• Programming experience in Fortran, C++, and/or Python.
• Experience with nonadiabatic dynamics methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop theoretical methods and simulation protocols for quantum dynamics and flow methods
• Conduct research and collaborate with team members in a multi-institution research team
• Lead manuscript preparation and maintain a strong publication record in the peer-reviewed scientific literature
• Present research at technical conferences and project or program review meetings
• Communicate and collaborate with researchers across the multi-institution project team
• Participate in the development of research proposals as needed

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: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees