Postdoctoral Appointee- Sodium Batteries and Electrochemical Energy Storage; Onsite

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting‑edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
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• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten‑hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

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We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Appointee to conduct experimental electrochemical materials science R&D for energy storage research, particularly in the fields of sodium batteries, solid state electrolytes (e.g. NaSICON) and/or electrochemical energy storage. If you are passionate about research in these areas, consider this opportunity to become part of our team. You'll collaborate with accomplished scientists and use industry‑leading equipment and facilities and gain compelling experiences in preparation for a career in this exciting area.

• Contribute to a multidisciplinary, materials‑focused research effort
• Publish innovative research in leading peer‑reviewed technical journals
• Present cutting‑edge research at technical conferences
• Assemble and test solid and/or molten sodium batteries
• Electrochemically characterize molten salts
• Coordinate, perform, and/or analyze data from materials characterization

• Possess, or are pursuing, a PhD in a chemistry, materials, physics or engineering‑related field
• Laboratory experience in electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, or battery testing
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance

• Experience with various electrochemical techniques (CV, EIS, GITT, galvanostatic cycling, etc.)
• Strong background in electrochemical materials characterization, including battery testing and evaluation, ideally related to sodium, lithium, or similar batteries
• Experience synthesizing and testing solid state electrolytes, such as NaSICON or b‑alumina
• Familiarity with materials characterization techniques, such as X‑ray diffraction (XRD), X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‑IR), and electron microscopy (SEM/EDS, etc)
• Experience developing new electrochemical and mechanical test fixtures to improve battery performance or elucidate materials limitations, such as during in‑situ diffraction experiments
• Experience using and maintaining an inert atmosphere glovebox
• Ability to interact with team members of diverse technical backgrounds
• Desire to conduct independent, focused research Candidates should be highly motivated, team‑oriented individuals

The Nanoscale Sciences Department conducts collaborative leading‑edge research that advances the understanding of materials at the nanoscale and enables the collaborative development of creative solutions for Sandia's broad and evolving National Security and Energy Missions. Our research activities have broad impact; and typically generate peer‑reviewed, high‑profile journal publications and presentations at professional scientific meetings. Our main research focus is directed along three thrusts: