Postdoctoral Fellow (Applied Energy Materials Group)

Berkeley Lab’s Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division (ESDR) is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Applied Energy Materials Group!

In this role, you will conduct research in the field of polymer chemistry/materials for high energy density electrical energy storage applications. You will work on new functional polymer development and sulfide-based solid-state materials in lithium rechargeable batteries and surface protection for Li metal electrodes. This role will require hands-on skills in various metrology to quantify attributes with standard deviation for quantifying electrochemical active vs inactive materials at various stages of device function.  

What You Will Do:

• Design and synthesize functional polymers and sulfide-based composite that possess the required properties to be used for solid-state batteries.
• Multistep design and synthesis of functional organics possess the required properties to be used for lithium metal batteries.
• Modify the surface of Si and Sn particles and graft organic functionalities on the Si and Sn particles. 
• Use modern characterization techniques including NMR, GPC, DTA, DSC, x-ray, FTIR, SEM, and TEM to characterize the new materials. 
• Use cryo-microtome and electron microscopy techniques to investigate the morphology of the nanoparticle/conductive polymer electrode composites.
• Perform electrochemical tests of the materials. 
• Construct lithium-ion electrodes and fabricate lithium-ion ion cells.
• Perform the electrochemistry testing of the lithium-ion cells.
• Analyze experimental data includes applying computer analysis and simulation programs to interpret experimental data.
• Collaborate in the development of research proposals and new scientific initiatives.
• Prepare manuscripts, reports, and presentations regarding the research finding.
• Carry out collaborative research and discuss the progression and findings with research associates, postdoctoral scholars, visiting scientists, and students.
• Follow all the safety requirements to maintain the synthesis laboratory. 

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. in Organic Synthesis and Polymer Chemistry with a strong emphasis on synthetic chemistry and material characterization.
• Experienced on LPS type of solid-state lithium-ion conductors.
• Ability to carry out air-sensitive material synthesis using Schlenk techniques, with demonstrated success on conductive polymer design and synthesis.
• Experience in purifying chemicals and cross verifying purity using various analytical techniques.
• Proven expertise in organic synthesis, NMR, spectroscopic, and electron microscopic characterization.
• Must have taken advanced organic synthesis-related courses during graduate study.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis (Eg. JMP) for getting high-level trends for surface protection properties vs polymer functionality, electrochemical performance vs polymer functionality, etc.
• Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work as an independent researcher and as a member of a diverse research team, collaborating toward goals, solving problems, and developing scientific ideas.

What We Prefer:

• Experience in electrochemistry and lithium-ion battery materials and cell testing, and experience on Si or Sn-based materials.
• Experience in surface reaction and grafting on particles.

For full consideration, please apply by April 30, 2021, with the following application materials:

• Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 1 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs.  You must have less than 4 years of paid postdoctoral experience. 
• Salaries for postdoctoral positions depend on years of experience post-degree and are predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Learn About Us:

Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

The Energy Storage and Distributed Resources Division (ESDR) works on developing advanced batteries and fuel cells for transportation and stationary energy storage, grid-connected technologies for a cleaner, more reliable, resilient, and cost-effective future, and demand-responsive and distributed energy technologies for a dynamic electric grid.

The Applied Energy Materials Group focuses on the synthesis and processing of energy materials including energy storage materials, solar energy materials, high-performance materials, and prototype development based on the modern atomistic computational, synthesis, and processing methods.

Berkeley Lab’s Postdoc Program is committed to providing Postdoctoral Researchers and Visiting scholars with a positive and impactful experience to jump-start their career through premium research and career development, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and a strong community.  For more information, please visit our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Resources site and our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association site.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to hire individuals who share these same values and commitments.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."