Research Associate - Fast Charging Battery Materials X-ray Characterization

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a directorate of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and research facility operated by Stanford University, seeks a Research Associate with a strong background in powder diffraction to develop time-resolved, multimodal X-ray characterization applied to fast charging batteries within the research group of Dr. Molleigh Preefer. The role includes applying pseudo-simultaneous synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to understand complex charge storage mechanisms in exploratory fast charging battery materials under realistic operating conditions, with the ultimate goal of implementing in situ resonant diffraction.

This Research Associate position is supported by the Laboratory Directed Research & Development program at SLAC. This is a collaborative role within a diverse team of scientists involving multiple directorates at SLAC (SSRL and Energy Sciences) and the Griffith group at UC San Diego, working together to execute a closed-loop accelerated materials discovery platform. The research associate will have opportunities to publish lead-author manuscripts and present results at conferences toward building a research or teaching career in materials, energy, and/or X-ray science.

Note: The Research Associate role is a fixed term staff position. Appointment duration is 2-year fixed term, with the possibility of extension. Assignment duration is contingent upon project needs and funding.

Applicants must provide evidence of either a recently completed PhD degree or confirmation of completion of the PhD degree requirements prior to starting the position. Applicants should also include a cover letter, a statement of research area including brief summary of accomplishments, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and names of three references for future letters of recommendation with the application.

Your Specific Responsibilities Include

• Perform and analyze X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements at SSRL on operating pouch cell batteries fabricated in-house.
• Method development of multimodal X-ray characterization toward simultaneous XRD/XAS measurements and resonant diffraction.
• Develop data analysis pipelines for large, correlated datasets using Python or similar.
• Collaborate closely with experimental and computational collaborators.
• Routine documentation of results and analysis including summaries for reports, contributions to manuscript drafts, and project or conference presentations.
  
  

To Be Successful In This Position, You Will Bring

• PhD in materials science, chemistry, physics or related field.
• Research experience with synchrotron and/or neutron characterization.
• Experience in electrochemistry is helpful but not required.
• Strong experimental, analytical and computation skills.
• Broad scientific interests and willingness to learn new skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population; good interpersonal skills are essential.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
  
  

In Addition, Preferred Qualifications Include

• The candidate should have experience leveraging scattering and/or spectroscopy techniques (X-ray or neutron). Experience characterizing crystalline structures, performing quantitative phase analyses using the Rietveld method, and experience analyzing large datasets are highly desired. Battery/electrochemistry experience is not required, and there will be opportunities to cross-train in this area.
  
  

SLAC Employee Competencies

• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
• Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.
  
  

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.
• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.
  
  

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1¿General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
• Classification Title: Research Associate - Experimental
• Job code: 0127
• Duration: 2- Year Fixed term
  
  

The expected pay range for this position is $70,000 to $100,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.