Postdoctoral Appointee – Battery Research, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee in Synthetic Organic and Materials Chemistry and Materials Science to join our team. The postdoc’s primary responsibilities will be in the development and synthesis of ion selective polymers, carbon allotropes, nanomaterials and composite (nano)materials for various electrochemical, electrocatalytic and sensor applications. This position will contribute to multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional efforts in battery research and development and technology maturation. Both aqueous zinc-base batteries and lithium-ion battery chemistries are being explored and developed.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Contribute to a multi-disciplinary, multi-institution materials focused research effort.
• Perform fundamental research and development, designing and synthesizing new small molecules , polymers, carbon allotropes and composites and evaluating their physiochemical and electrochemical properties.
• Publish innovative research in leading peer-reviewed technical journals.
• Present cutting-edge research at technical conferences.
• Aid in the development of technologies transferable to U.S. renewable energy industries where relevant.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

• PhD in a chemistry, materials science, physics or engineering-related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or presentations at scientific conferences
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance

• Laboratory experience in organic synthetic and characterization techniques for small organic molecules and polymeric materials
• Experience in the synthesis and/or processing of polymers, ceramics, alloys and/or composites
• Experience in the preparation and analysis of polymer membranes for ion separations
• Experience working with nanomaterials
• Experience using and maintaining an inert atmosphere glove box
• Experience with materials characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
  nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electron microscopy
• Familiarity with various electrochemical techniques (CV, EIS, GITT, galvanostatic cycling, etc.)
• Ability to interact with team members of varied technical backgrounds
• Desire to conduct independent, focused research
• Ability to work collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams and contribute to group efforts

The Photovoltaics & Materials Tech Department, part of Sandia’s Renewable Energy Technologies Group, conducts research and development and applies real world solutions to increase the viability of sustainable and clean energy systems. Research focuses on solar energy photovoltaics (PV), materials chemistry, and device integration for energy generation and energy efficiency. We apply PV and materials research to the following areas: PV cell technologies including Si, CdTe and CIGS thin films, and emerging technologies (i.e., perovskites), advanced PV module designs (i.e., bifacial, split cells conformable), and batteries for grid and device storage. We work in partnership throughout Sandia and with industry, academia, and other national labs in research for the Department of Energy, Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation: Solar Energy Technology Office, Office of Electricity, the Department of Defense; and Sandia’s Laboratory Directed Research and Development program.

This posting will be open for Application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia’s discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.