Postdoctoral Appointee – Electrochemistry and Materials Science, 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
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• 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 Electrochemistry and Materials Science. This position will contribute to multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional efforts in battery research and development and technology maturation. Both aqueous zinc-based batteries and lithium ion battery chemistries are being explored and developed.

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

• Contribute to a multidisciplinary, materials focused research effort.
• Assemble and test Zinc batteries and/or Lithium batteries.
• Coordinate, perform, and/or analyze data from materials characterization.
• Publish innovative research in leading peer-reviewed technical journals.
• Present cutting-edge research at technical conferences.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position is located in Albuquerque, NM, and the annual salary for this position is $100,500.

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Engineering, or other related, relevant field
• Laboratory experience in materials science, electrochemistry, chemical engineering or related field
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance

• Experience with various electrochemical techniques (CV, EIS, GITT, galvanostatic cycling, etc.)
• Strong background in electrochemical materials characterization, including battery testing and evaluation, ideally related to zinc, lithium, sodium or similar batteries
• Experience in flow batteries
• Experience in materials chemistry including use of synthetic techniques
• Experience using and maintaining an inert atmosphere glove box
• Experience in the synthesis and/or processing of polymers, ceramics, alloys and/or composites
• Familiarity 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 in including in situ and in operando techniques
• Ability to collaboratively interact with team members of varied technical backgrounds
• Desire to conduct independent, focused research

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, energy efficiency, and carbon management. 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), concentrating solar power, hydrogen production, 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, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office: 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 three (3) 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.