Post Doctorate Research Associate – Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate's strengths in experimental, computational, and theoretical chemistry and materials science, together with our advanced computing, applied mathematics and data science capabilities, are central to the discovery mission we embrace  our most important resource is our people—experts across the range of scientific disciplines who team together to take on the biggest scientific challenges of our time.

The Physical Sciences Div's stewardship of discovery science research portfolios including catalysis, materials science, separations, analytical chemistry, geosciences, and chemical physics. Our research strives to refine our molecular‑level understanding of multiphase systems and phenomena including complex interfaces. We discover and apply new knowledge to address major national priorities and needs in energy sustainability through the development of new energy storage technologies and the creation of high‑value fuels and materials from abundant wastes.

As a Post Doctorate Research Associate in the Materials Sciences group, you will join a talented, multi‑investigator team performing experimental research to explore the formation and assembly dynamics of nanoparticles and hybrid and macromolecular systems using in‑situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our team has built novel in‑situ imaging capabilities including TEM and SEM and you will be mentored by prominent senior researchers in the field.

This research requires close collaboration with computational materials scientists, and you will be closely working with them to design and synthesize materials. The results from these measurements should be correlated to the predictions of simulations to develop a fundamental understanding of material properties.

• Conduct chemical synthesis, in situ and ex situ TEM, and cryo TEM measurements, and data analysis to investigate the assembly dynamics of nanoparticle, hybrid and macromolecular systems.
• Work independently, take initiative, and work on team assignments.
• Lead and contribute to manuscript development.
• Interact, communicate, and develop experimental plans with a diverse team of scientists.
• Present research at group discussions, technical conferences, and project review meetings.
• Ability to work in collaboration with multi‑disciplinary teams of scientists and technical staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience with TEM, cryo TEM, high‑resolution imaging, and in situ experiments.
• Proven experience in the analysis of TEM data.
• Foundational understanding of crystal growth and assembly.
• Experience in synthesizing and/or preparing well‑defined model mineral nanoparticles or single crystals.

Not Applicable

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world‑class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL,…