Postdoc Research Associate: Electron Microscopy and Data Processing for Hydrogen Technologies

Requisition ID 14518

­­Overview:  

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will use and develop advanced microscopy methods for characterizing electrocatalysts, catalyst inks, and electrode structures for hydrogen technology applications. This position resides in the Electron Microscopy and MicroAnalysis (eMMA) Group in the Nanomaterials Characterization Section of the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  

As part of our research team, you will collaborate with world leaders in fuel cells and electrolyzers through the Department of Energy’s Roll-to-Roll and Hydrogen from Next Generation Electrolyzers of Water (H2NEW) laboratory consortia aimed at enabling hydrogen as an energy carrier.  Your role will be to work with the suite of advanced scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM) housed in CNMS and other core facilities to help drive the research of catalyst synthesis scale-up and electrode fabrication. A key area of research will be developing advanced electron microscopy techniques and data analysis methods for establishing relationships between fabrication parameters and the resulting electrode structures.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Conduct research using advanced electron microscopy such as aberration-corrected STEM, Cryo-EM, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy.
• Develop analysis methods to study the evolving structures within catalyst inks during the drying process.
• Develop image processing methods/algorithms for analyzing nanoparticle size, electrode agglomerate size, and ionomer distribution within electrodes.
• Implement automated workflows for high-throughput imaging.
• Report and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner.
• Present results at scientific conferences and in HFTO consortia meetings.

• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in Physics, Materials Science & Engineering, or a closely related field or a related field completed within the last 5 years.
• Background in transmission electron microscopy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with coding in languages such as Python, Matlab, etc.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:

Postdocs:

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Letters of Recommendation:

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.