Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Description:

The Postdoctoral Research position would be part of a Department of Energy funded Energy Frontier Research Center, the Center for Mesoscale Transport Properties where Brookhaven National Laboratory is a participating institution.

The research effort is a multi-institutional multi-disciplinary research initiative providing opportunity for deep insight and active collaboration. The goal of the Center is to investigate materials and mechanisms associated with electrochemical energy storage systems, batteries. This is a dynamic and exciting field with opportunity for significant impact of the research results.

The essential duties and responsibilities are to conduct detailed characterization of structural/chemical properties and their correlation to the electrochemical performance of the active electrode materials synthesized by the Center.

Examples of the samples could be metal oxides with carbon positioned between the layers, and metal oxides with polymer either on the surface or between the layers. Various scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) methods, including aberration corrected atomic imaging, electron diffraction, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), in situ microscopy will be used for the characterization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct research using advanced microscopy based characterization: scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) methods, including aberration corrected atomic imaging, electron diffraction, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), in situ microscopy will be used for the characterization.
• Prepare research based manuscripts for publication
• Participate in the meetings related to the EFRC

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• PhD in Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science, Materials Chemistry or closely related fields.
• Background in quantitative electron microscopy/diffraction and crystallography.
• Experience with structural characterization using aberration-corrected S/TEM-EELS.
• Experience on TEM sample preparation.
• Effective communication skills, verbally and through writing.
• Background in crystallography and solid-state physics
• Demonstrated ability of characterizing beam-sensitive materials using low dose methods
• Experience in electrochemical tests of battery materials
• Experience in in situ S/TEM for probing ionic transport in batteries or other electrochemical systems
• Ability to perform quantitative spectroscopic analysis using monochromated EELS or other advanced spectroscopy techniques

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (one or more of the following):

• Background in crystallography and solid-state physics
• Demonstrated ability of characterizing beam-sensitive materials using low dose methods
• Experience in electrochemical tests of battery materials
• Experience in in situ S/TEM for probing ionic transport in batteries or other electrochemical systems
• Ability to perform quantitative spectroscopic analysis using monochromated EELS or other advanced spectroscopy techniques

Additional Information:

• Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.
• BNL policy requires that after obtaining their PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.
• Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $70,000 - $85,000 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.