Postdoctoral Research Associate Synchrotron/Thermal Energy Storage Material

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

We seek a post-doctoral researcher to join the DEGREES, an Energy Earthshot Research Center (EERC) recently funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DEGREES EERC will advance fundamental understanding of materials used for long-duration energy storage in support of a future-ready decarbonized grid. The center was established by DOE in a new era of cross-office research cooperation, building collaboration across multiple national laboratories and universities. 

For EERCs funded by DOE, please see: https://science.osti.gov/Initiatives/SCEarthshots/EERCs

Candidate will have the opportunity to utilize the extensive resources at Brookhaven National Laboratory for both standard and advanced in situ and operando characterization, including use of National Synchrotron Light Source – II (NSLS-II) and Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) capabilities. As one of the newest, most advanced synchrotron light sources in the world, NSLS-II enables its growing research community to study materials with nanoscale resolution and exquisite sensitivity by providing cutting-edge capabilities. 

For NSLS-II, please see: https://www.bnl.gov/nsls2/

For CFN, please see: https://www.bnl.gov/cfn/

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The postdoc will be positioned at National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The postdoc will focus on applying the novel synchrotron characterization approaches at NSLS-II and collaborate with other researchers in DEGREES EERC, to provide understanding of thermal energy storage material degradation and work to control the degradation and instabilities for materials that are durable and high-performing. Materials of interests include phase change materials (PCMs) and thermochemical materials (TCMs).

A successful candidate will work closely with the team at NSLS-II and other departments at BNL and the Chen-Wiegart Research Group at the nearby Stony Brook University. Candidate will also collaborate with the other experimental and theory teams within the EERC to characterize novel materials, as well as to model the phenomena observed in the experiments. Such opportunity will significantly broaden the research collaboration and network for advancing research and the career development. 

Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate are committed to your success. We offer a supportive work environment and the resources necessary for you to succeed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 • Conduct research on phase change materials (PCMs) and thermochemical materials (TCMs).
• Design and perform synchrotron X-ray beamtime experiments at synchrotron beamlines to characterize PCMs and/or TCMs. This includes sample preparation in a wet chemistry laboratory and possibly handling delicate samples in a glovebox.
• Perform synchrotron imaging experiments using transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM), X-ray tomography, and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopic imaging/tomography.
• Apply other synchrotron techniques as needed, which may include some of the following methods: X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES/Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure - EXAFS), X-ray powder diffraction, wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging.
• If needed, design or commission in situ/operando experimental setups with tailored sample preparation designs or apparatus.
• Perform laboratory materials characterization as required, including techniques such as Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Laboratory X-ray Diffraction (Lab XRD), Focused Ion Beam (FIB)-SEM, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
• Conduct data acquisition and analysis using Python and other relevant software packages tailored to specific techniques. Employ data analysis techniques, including image processing, 3D image visualization and quantification, data reduction and filtering, and the application of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms to accelerate data processing.
• Collaborate with research teams at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook University, and other institutions within DEGREES EERC.
• Attend regular research meetings held within the research group and the DEGREES research centers.
• Assist with student mentoring, proposal writing for beamtime and equipment, development of research ideas, and administrative tasks of the research group consistent with the level of the postdoctoral researcher's experience and expertise.
• Present research findings at conferences and publish research papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

 • A PhD. in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related field.
• Research experience in phase change materials (PCMs), thermochemical materials (TCMs), molten salts, electrochemistry, or related fields, with publication records in peer-reviewed journals. 

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

• Hands-on experimental experiences in studying phase change materials (PCMs), thermochemical materials (TCMs), such as molten salts and their interactions with alloys or other materials on topics such as corrosion, including the use of a glovebox.
• Experience in programming in Python, Matlab, C/C++, or equivalent.
• Experience/knowledge in materials thermodynamics, kinetics, phase transformation, diffusion and other transport phenomena.
• Experience in key synchrotron methods for the project, including but not limited to transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM), X-ray tomography, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopic imaging/tomography.
• Experience in other synchrotron techniques as needed, including but not limited to X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES/Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure - EXAFS), X-ray powder diffraction, wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging.
• Experience in designing, fabricating and/or carrying out experiments with in situ experiments with sophisticated instrumentation, including but not limited to synchrotron facilities.
• Experience in other materials characterization techniques e.g. SEM, TEM, FIB-SEM, XRD, or other imaging/chemical analysis techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, be willing to take direction and work well in a team setting.

Other Information:

• BNL policy requires that after obtaining a 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.
• The full salary range for this position is $68400 - $113250 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file

Brookhaven Science Associates is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and diversity at our Lab. We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. BSA takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.