What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Appointee - MSD Fundamental Degradation Studies of Membrane and Ionomers for Electrolysis position at UChicago Argonne, LLC?
This position will be dedicated to research projects aiming to unravel the fundamental interfacial processes in membrane and ionomer materials employed in energy conversion systems such as water electrolysis, CO2 electrolysis and fuel cells. Experimental work will involve design, characterization, and degradation studies of model interfaces that can help elucidate their degradation mechanisms and unravel structure-function relationships.
This position will involve a considerable amount of experimental laboratory work with a variety of electrochemical based methods (galvanostatic/potentiostatic, AC impedance, and hybrid potential/current control methods) coupled to analytical techniques for characterizing effluent analytes using LC-MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS, including developing in situ measurement routines aimed at understanding degradation mechanisms of membrane and ionomer materials.
The applicant is expected to think and work independently and conduct research in a highly interdisciplinary environment of chemists, physicists, and materials scientists. The individual will contribute to the Lab’s broader effort in hydrogen and carbon management R&D. The role will require the individual to work with other experimentalists in fuel cells and electrolyzers. Applicants will be working in teams and they must possess good communication skills and be fluent in both spoken, and written English. Applicants should demonstrate evidence of initiative and problem-solving in research projects.
Position Requirements
- Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field. Received within the last 5 years or upcoming year
- Strong background in fundamental electrochemistry of energy conversion systems, with emphasis on polymeric materials, with focus on ion exchange membrane and ionomer components.
- Strong expertise in analytical chemistry for identification and quantification of various organic and inorganic molecules in complex liquid matrices, with emphasis on the ability to operate independently LC-QqQ, LC-QToF, GC-QqQ, ICP-MS, and IC instrumentation.
- Hands-on experience in performing experiments inside controlled environments (glovebox) is highly welcomed.
- Experience with fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and test them in fuel cells and electrolyzers is welcomed.
- Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
Applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter with a brief description of their interest in this position, a curriculum vitae with a brief description of research accomplishments and a list of publications
Job Family
Postdoctoral FamilyJob Profile
Postdoctoral AppointeeWorker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)Time Type
Full timeAs an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
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