Postdoctoral Scholar

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

In this role, you'll conduct experimental work on electrolyzers, fuel cells, and related electrochemical devices within The Energy Conversion Group. Responsibilities include device fabrication, testing, diagnostics, component characterization, and cell validation. You'll collaborate with partners to develop novel methods for identifying performance and durability barriers, as well as strategies to address them. Emphasis will be placed on understanding electrochemistry, reactions, and material properties across various scales.

What You Will Do:

• Develop testing protocols to validate performance and degradation of electrolyzer/fuel cell components (e.g., gas recombination layers, membranes, catalysts).
• Create coating strategies for fabricating components like catalyst-coated substrates.
• Design experiments to identify performance and durability limits and propose mitigation strategies.
• Publish original research in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences and workshops.
• Comply with Berkeley Lab and ETA safety requirements.
• Meet milestones and report progress to DOE and industrial sponsors.
• Collaborate with a diverse team of researchers and interface with industry, academia, and national laboratories.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Develop in-situ and operando cell designs using synchrotron techniques for water electrolysis materials and cells.
• Collaborate with the LBNL fuel cell and electrochemistry community, leveraging expertise in batteries, modeling, material synthesis, spectroscopy, diagnostics, and cell design to enhance research. 

What is Required:

• PhD in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, materials science or closely related field.  
• Hands-on experience with electrochemical devices such as PEM and alkaline water electrolyzers, fuel cells 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 phenomena.
• Familiarity with catalyst synthesis and characterization.
• Good data etiquette and management skills.

For consideration, please apply by December 9, 2024 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 years, 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 committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global 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.

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