Batteries - Technical Staff Member

Requisition Id 9236 

Overview: 

We are seeking a skilled Technical Professional who will research solid-state and beyond lithium-ion materials (polymer electrolytes, solid electrolytes, and cathodes), and aspects thereof. This position is within in the Energy Storage and Conversion Group in the Chemical Sciences Division (X060), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and will involve daily collaborations with scientists/team members across the laboratory.  This individual will contribute in developing unique scientific directions in collaboration with the Team and sponsoring organizations.  Furthermore, the position requires collaborating and interacting with staff at ORNL’s Battery Manufacturing Facility located at the National Transportation Research Center.  This position supports the Laboratory’s mission of world leading energy storage science, delivering solutions to pressing energy storage problems that are essential to economic development and security of the United States.

As part of our research team, you will work across a variety of projects related to electrical energy storage.  You will be expected to perform experiments to fabricate and test materials, as well as processing methodologies.  Additionally, you will participate in laboratory operations and maintenance including instrument repairs, facility operations (dry room, glove boxes, etc.) purchasing supplies, and organizing work zones.  You will also aid in training new scientists (graduate students, post-BS, and post-docs) with suitable laboratory procedures attending to safety and best practices while coordinating with ORNL safety outside of the ESCG group.  You will make extensive use of state-of-the-art spectroscopies (Raman, electron microscopy, infrared, etc.) along with data reduction and processing and plotting graphs.  Other characterization studies will be implemented as appropriate for the materials including resistivity, photoelectron spectroscopy, ion transport, and other electrochemical measurements.  You will also take part in writing reports and peer reviewed publications.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Construct, build, and cycle batteries (includes slurry formulation)
• Operating and maintaining vacuum systems.
• Synthesis of composite electrodes and cycling therein
• Perform characterization studies of battery materials
• Coordinate research with other team members inside and outside ORNL
• Work with sponsors to achieve project goals and deliverables
• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics

Basic Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years’ experience in energy storage related fields, OR, a Master’s degree in energy storage related field with 4 years’ experience or a PhD related to energy storage/conversion with 3 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with battery chemistry
• Experience with laboratory synthesis and processing techniques
• Analytical chemistry background
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver license within 10 days of arriving to operate DOE vehicles on-site.
• An excellent record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by educationally equivalent production including reports, presentations, publications in peer-reviewed journals, patents or commercial products
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative and frequently interacting teams of researchers 
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs
• Ability to obtain/maintain a Department of Energy Clearance

Special Requirements:

Three letters of reference are required and can be uploaded to your profile or emailed directly to PSDrecruit@ornl.gov.  Please include the title of the position in the subject line.

Physical Requirements:

Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.