Synthetic Chemistry Automation & Advanced Manufacturing - Postdoctoral Researcher

• Full-time
• Organization:
  Physical and Life Sciences
• Category:
  Physical Life Sciences
• Employee Referral Bonus:
  Not applicable
• Job Code 1: PDS.
  1 Post-Dr Research Staff 1
• Pre-Employment Drug Test:
  Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
• Pre-Placement Medical Exam:
  Not applicable
• Security Clearance:
  Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
• Position Type:
  Post Doctoral

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher in synthetic organic chemistry with demonstrated proficiency in the design, synthesis, purification, and structural characterization of small molecules and heterocyclic compounds. You will contribute to the development of innovative synthetic methodologies for energetic small molecules, with an emphasis on flow synthesis, reaction optimization, and advanced manufacturing approaches. Responsibilities include executing multistep organic synthesis, developing and improving continuous flow processes, supporting material purification and crystallization, and applying analytical characterization techniques for compound identification and purity assessment.

This position is in the Functional Materials Synthesis and Integration Group within the Energetic Materials & Design (EMD) section of the Materials Science Division in the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, supporting the Energetic Materials Center (EMC).

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will

• Design, execute, and optimize synthetic routes and experimental procedures using modern organic synthesis methods, with emphasis on heterocyclic and small-molecule chemistry and the development of continuous flow processes.
• Apply and interpret analytical techniques commonly used in synthetic organic chemistry, including NMR, HPLC, MS, IR, and UV spectroscopy, to characterize and evaluate synthesized compounds.
• Analyze experimental data to establish structure, process, and property relationships, and use these insights to guide scientific understanding and future research directions.
• Document research findings in technical reports and peer-reviewed publications.
• Present research results to sponsors and the broader scientific community through technical meetings and scientific conferences.
• Develop and pursue an independent research direction that complements and align with broader programmatic goals.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external research partners and contribute to multidisciplinary research efforts.
• Manage assigned research activities to meet project timelines and deliverables, while proactively communicating risks, challenges, or deviations to program and line management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  • Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.
  • Ph.D. in Synthetic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing, executing, and optimizing synthetic routes and experimental procedures using modern organic synthesis techniques.
  • Hands-on experience in continuous-flow chemistry, including design, operation, optimization, and troubleshooting of flow reactors and associated synthesis workflows.
  • Demonstrated experience in the scale-up of telescoped and continuous flow processes, including synthesis, crystallization, liquid-liquid separations, and heterogeneous reaction systems.
  • Proven ability to analyze and interpret experimental data and relate findings to chemical structure, processing, and material or chemical properties.
  • Demonstrated experience in compound isolation, purification, and characterization using analytical techniques such as NMR, IR, UV spectroscopy, DART-MS, HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, Raman, DSC, and TGA.
  • Proven ability to conduct independent research, work effectively…