Electrochemical Engineering Postdoctoral Scholar

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division has an opening for an Electrochemical Engineering Postdoctoral Scholar to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will conduct experimental work using microelectrodes to explore the electrocatalyst/ionomer interface for various reactions including hydrogen and oxygen generation/consumption and CO2 reduction. You will work within the Energy Conversion Group in the Energy Storage and Distributed Resources Division of the Energy Technologies Area at LBNL. The work will entail microelectrode fabrication, testing and associated diagnostics including advanced spectroscopy. You will collaborate with industrial and research partners to develop and utilize microelectrodes setups to study kinetics, transport phenomena, and durability and degradation of supported nanoparticle catalysts to elucidate critical performance and durability barriers and provide strategies to overcome them. Particular emphasis will be on understanding interfacial electrochemical phenomena and structure/function relationships across multiple time and length scales.

What You Will Do:

• Work on in-situ and operando cell designs for electrochemical phenomena including microelectrode cells and associated techniques.
• Develop experiments to identify limiting factors in the performance and durability of fuel cells/electrolyzers and propose novel mitigation strategies to overcome them.
• Publish original research in peer-reviewed journals; contribute to scientific publications; present research through talks and posters at conferences, workshops, and multi-investigator meetings.
• Adhere with the Berkeley Lab and ETA safety requirements.
• Work on meeting milestones and reporting them to DOE, various consortia leadership, and industrial sponsors.
• Collaborate and work with a team of researchers from diverse backgrounds, and interface with research teams across industry, academia, and national laboratories.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Conduct cell testing and associated diagnostics for fuel cells and water electrolysis.
• Utilize advanced spectroscopic techniques to probe the ionomer/electrocatalyst interface.
• Develop and exercise multiphysics models of electrochemical energy-conversion cells and components.
• Interact with the LBNL fuel cell and electrochemistry community (with extensive experience in batteries, modeling of batteries and fuel cells, electrode material synthesis, spectroscopy, detailed diagnostics, and cell design) to aid in electrochemistry research.
• Participate in professional society activities.

What is Required:

• PhD in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, materials science or closely related field.
• Hands-on experience with electrochemical techniques such as microelectrodes or related devices.
• Strong background in electrochemistry and materials science.
• Self-motived and milestones driven.
• Familiarity with data and image processing.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written as well as technical writing.
• Ability to learn rapidly and integrate new fields to demonstrate creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment and collaborate with researchers from various backgrounds.
• Ability to work as an independent researcher with a high level of scientific judgment and initiative.
• Knowledge of constitutive relations and continuum theories.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative for tackling cross-disciplinary research problems from initiation to meaningful conclusion.
• Experience with electrochemistry, CO2 reduction, and transport and durability phenomena.
• Familiarity with catalyst synthesis and characterization.
• Good data etiquette and management skills.

For consideration, please apply with the following application materials:

• Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, 2 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $6,891 / mo - $7,609.00 / mo and is expected to start at $6,891 / mo or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• This position is eligible for a flexible work mode, with onsite or hybrid work being the preferred modes. Hybrid work is a combination of teleworking and performing work on-site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. In support of our rich community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.