Postdoctoral Research Associate - Biomaterials Characterization

Requisition Id 12406 

Overview: 

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

The Biofuels Scientific Focus Area (Biofuels SFA) project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to pursue research in the field of biopolymer characterization using neutron and X-ray scattering techniques. This project aims to establish a fundamental understanding of plant cell wall structure as well as changes to its structure during chemical and enzymatic deconstruction, for production of cost- and energy-efficient biofuels. Neutron scattering provides unique avenues to investigate structure and dynamics of biomass and its component biopolymers through the application of isotope labeling and neutron contrast variation.

ORNL is host to world-leading neutron scattering instrumentation that provide unprecedented opportunities for advancing our knowledge about this multi-component, hierarchical biological material. You will conduct independent and collaborative neutron scattering experiments at ORNL’s neutron scattering facilities, the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), and Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team of biophysicists, chemists, computational scientists, and engineers. A significant part of your work will require you to coordinate with team members on the design, execution, and analysis of experiments. This role is an excellent opportunity for a young postdoctoral scientist to develop their career, broaden their experience in topics relevant to biopolymer characterization, and to interact with leading scientists from around the world.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• You will pursue a high-quality independent and collaborative research program, build national and international collaborations, and publish research results in scientific journals.
• You will pursue complementary techniques such as X-ray scattering/diffraction.
• You will maintain strong communication with an interdisciplinary team of scientists such as coordinating with chemists on sample preparation and computational scientists on data modeling and interpretation.
• You will ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements
• As a member of the ORNL scientific community, you will be expected to commit to ORNL's Research Code of Conduct. Our full code of conduct, and a statement by the Lab Director's office can be found here: https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity .
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in Physical Chemistry, Food Science, Material Science, Agriculture, Biophysics, or a related field completed within the last 5 years.
• A strong record of productive and creative research demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels and to work in a multi-disciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience with working in, or performing experiments at, neutron or synchrotron X-ray user facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and other research scientists from both academia and/or industry.
• Prior experience with chemical and bio-polymer materials characterization techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory 
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

Please provide a list of publications when applying for this position.

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to [email protected] with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: [email protected] .

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email [email protected].

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.