DuraMat Degradation Analysis Postdoctoral Fellow

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Dura Mat Degradation Analysis Postdoctoral Fellow within the Energy Technologies and Systems division. The Hacking Materials group has confirmed funding to hire a postdoc within the DOE CMEI Durable Module Materials Program (Dura Mat) to analyze degradation pathways of solar photovoltaic modules extracted from the scientific literature. The group has assembled a large literature-derived data set of reported module degradation modes, stressors, and outcomes;

the data are heterogeneous, incomplete, and often contradictory. The postdoc will act as a scientific "data detective," applying deep knowledge of PV materials and degradation mechanisms to reconcile conflicting reports, validate the data set against established degradation science, identify gaps in the collective literature, and synthesize new mechanistic insights by connecting findings across studies. This position is ideal for an experimental PV degradation scientist who wants to leverage their mechanistic understanding at the scale of the entire published literature.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits , including pension or 401K-style plans
• A culture where you'll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)

• Analyze literature-extracted data on PV module degradation pathways, assessing data quality, consistency, and completeness
• Validate literature-derived conclusions against established degradation mechanisms (e.g., UV-induced degradation, damp heat, thermo-mechanical stress, delamination, metastability effects)
• Identify gaps and contradictions in reported degradation knowledge and formulate hypotheses that connect findings across studies
• Develop data analysis procedures (Python) to organize, filter, and cross-reference degradation reports across stressors, materials, and module architectures
• Collaborate with team members developing LLM-based literature extraction and agentic reasoning tools, providing domain feedback on extraction quality
• Prepare presentations and reports; write peer-reviewed journal articles

• Assist in outreach activities, workshops, and tutorials.

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field
• Deep knowledge of solar PV materials and their degradation mechanisms, including accelerated aging protocols and stressor-response relationships (UV, thermal, moisture, electrical bias, mechanical)
• Hands-on experience with PV characterization techniques (e.g., electroluminescence/photoluminescence imaging, current-voltage measurement, thermography) sufficient to critically evaluate reported measurements in the literature
• Strong data analysis skills (Python and/or MATLAB) and statistical reasoning
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to work across multi-institutional collaborations

• Programmatic LLM usage or experience with LLM-extracted data sets
• Experience with IEC standards development or fielded-module reliability data

• Appointment type:
  This is a full-time 2 years, 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.
• Salary range:
  The monthly salary range for this position is $7,987 / mo - $8,921 / mo and is expected to start at $7,987 / mo or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
• Background check:
  This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be…