Job Description

NREL's Energy Conversion and Storage Systems Center has an immediate opening for a postdoctoral researcher. The selected candidate will be responsible for performing materials development and electrochemical testing for long-duration energy storage, solid-state battery, and/or lithium-sulfur battery research programs (https://www.nrel.gov/storage/electrochemical-energy-storage.html).

The selected candidate will fabricate composite electrodes including sulfur cathodes (https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1945-7111/ac4541/meta ), assemble half- and full-cell batteries, and test their electrochemical performance against different types of battery chemistries. The candidate will also utilize post-mortem analysis of the cells and in-situ Raman spectroscopy and other spectroscopic or characterization tools to explore fundamental mechanisms of electrolyte-electrode interactions and their effects on electrochemical performance. 

Job duties include, but not limited to:

• Slurry casting of li-ion battery electrodes

• Fabrication of full- and half-cell coin cells

• Electrochemical testing of li-ion batteries using potentiostats, battery cyclers, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

• Using in-situ cells that enable spectroscopic characterization during electrochemical testing (https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1945-7111/ac1d7a/meta ).

• Perform and/or interpret general microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations such as SEM, EDS, XRD, XPS, CT, etc.

• Analyze characterization and electrochemical data (https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/batt.202300186 ).

• Develop and refine hypotheses by carrying out research plans and interpreting results.

• Publish findings in peer reviewed journals and present research at professional conferences.

• Interact with large multi-lab consortium, regularly attend/participate/present in group meetings and reviews (https://www.nrel.gov/transportation/silicon-anode-consortium.html ).

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Basic Qualifications

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Record of publications/presentations related to NREL projects.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, writing and documentation skills.

• Demonstrated teamwork, creativity, innovation, and adaptability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Raman and/or FTIR/ATR spectroscopy.
• Experience with operando cells for electrochemical spectroscopy.
• Experience using and maintaining atmosphere-controlled gloveboxes.
• Experience fabricating and testing solid state batteries.
• JOB IS FROM: postdocjobs.siteVIEWExperience programming electrochemical test equipment.
• Experience processing/analyzing electrochemical data sets.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $73,200 - $120,800

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance*; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

EEO is the Law | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Reasonable Accommodations

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