Electrochemical Engineering Postdoctoral Scholar

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL ) Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division has an opening for a Electrochemical Engineering Postdoctoral Fellow to join the team.

 

 
In this exciting role, you will conduct experimental work on electrolyzers and fuel cells including hydrogen, water, and CO2 and/or other related electrochemical devices and their components in The Energy Conversion Group. The work will entail electrode design, device assembly, testing and associated diagnostics, component characterization and integration, and cell  validation. You will collaborate with industrial and research partners to develop and utilize novel characterization and diagnostic methods to identify critical performance and durability barriers and provide and validate strategies to overcome them. 

In addition to cell level testing and integration, particular emphasis will be on understanding electrochemistry and homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions and component material properties including structure/function relationships across multiple time and length scales.

What You Will Do:

• Develop electrochemical testing protocols to validate and examine performance and degradation behavior of electrolyzer/fuel cell components (e.g., catalysts, electrodes, membranes, and diffusion media).

• Develop coating strategies to fabricate electrolyzer components (e.g., catalyst coated substrates) 

• Develop experiments to identify limiting factors in the performance and durability of electrolyzers and their components and propose novel mitigation strategies to overcome them.

• Experienced in setting up testing and analysis apparatus. 

• Experienced in materials characterization techniques (XRD, XPS, FIB/SEM, TEM and XCT). 

• Proficient in using coding techniques for data processing and visualization.

• Adhere with the Berkeley Lab and ETA safety requirements.

• Work on meeting milestones and reporting them to DOE and industrial sponsors.

• Collaborate and work with a team of researchers from diverse backgrounds, and interface with research teams across industry, academia, and national laboratories.

 

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Work on in-situ and operando cell designs including synchrotron-based techniques for water electrolysis materials and cells. 

• Interact with the LBNL electrolysis and electrochemistry community (with extensive experience in batteries, modeling of batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cells, electrode material synthesis, spectroscopy, detailed diagnostics, and cell design) to aid in electrochemistry research.    

 

What is Required:

• PhD in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, materials science or closely related field.  

• Hands-on experience with electrochemical devices such as PEM and AEM water electrolyzers, fuel cells or related devices. 

• Strong background in electrochemistry and materials science.

• Self-motived and milestones driven.

• Familiarity with data and image processing . 

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written as well as technical writing.  

• Ability to learn rapidly and integrate new fields to demonstrate creative problem-solving skills.

• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment and collaborate with researchers from various backgrounds.

• Ability to work as an independent researcher with a high level of scientific judgment and initiative. 

• Knowledge of constitutive relations and continuum theories.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative for tackling cross-disciplinary research problems from initiation to meaningful conclusion.

• Experience with electrochemistry, CO2 reduction, and transport phenomena.

• Familiarity with catalyst synthesis and characterization.

For Consideration, please apply by Dec. 1, 2023 with the following application materials:

• Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.

 

 

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

 

 

Notes:

• This is a full-time, 2 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 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.

• The monthly salary range for this position is $4,636.00 / mo - $7,103.00 / mo and is expected to start at $6,433.00 / mo or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.

• 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 primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Learn About Us:

 

Working at Berkeley Lab has many rewards including a competitive compensation program, excellent health and welfare programs, a retirement program that is second to none, and outstanding development opportunities. To view information about the many rewards that are offered at Berkeley Lab- Click Here .

 

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments.

 

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab’s mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. 

 

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

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