Visiting Student - CSE - Garcia, Luis - 10.21.26

Argonne National Laboratory • Lemont, IL

4d

About The Position

The Visiting Student will support a research project focused on improving the performance and lifetime of advanced lithium batteries. The work involves developing and testing thin protective surface coatings for battery electrode materials, including silicon anodes and high-voltage cathodes. These coatings are intended to reduce unwanted chemical reactions at electrode–electrolyte interfaces during battery operation.

The student will assist with preparing battery materials and electrodes, conducting electrochemical testing, and characterizing material surfaces and battery performance. The role provides hands-on training in battery materials research, laboratory safety, data analysis, and scientific communication. Results may contribute to technical reports, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

The entire appointment must be conducted within the United States. Applicants must be at least 18 years old when the appointment begins and meet one of the stated student or recent-graduate eligibility conditions. Applicants must also be enrolled in or admitted to a graduate program in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old when the appointment begins.
• The entirety of the appointment must be conducted within the United States.
• Must currently be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution, have graduated from an accredited institution within the past three months, or be actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.
• Enrollment in, or admission to, a graduate program in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• Basic knowledge of chemistry, materials, electrochemistry, or energy-storage systems.
• Interest in battery research and willingness to learn laboratory methods for material preparation, characterization, and electrochemical testing.
• Ability to follow laboratory safety procedures and maintain accurate experimental records.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze and organize experimental data.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research team.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support research to improve the performance and lifetime of advanced lithium batteries.
• Develop and test thin protective surface coatings for battery electrode materials, including silicon anodes and high-voltage cathodes.
• Assist with preparing battery materials and electrodes.
• Conduct electrochemical testing.
• Characterize material surfaces and battery performance.
• Analyze cycling stability, charge-transfer behavior, and electrolyte degradation, as applicable.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and follow laboratory safety procedures.
• Contribute to technical reports, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications, as applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed