Sr. Materials Scientist - Solid Oxide Electrolyzer​/Fuel Cell

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major directorates, which are departments 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 Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including modernizing the nation’s power grid, advancing renewable energy and efficiency technologies, and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real‑world solutions that support the DOE’s national energy security goals, including technologies for energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage.

Our expert staff provides multidisciplinary solutions to complex energy and environmental issues. The Applied Materials and Manufacturing Group seeks a materials scientist to lead research and development of high‑temperature electrolyzers made using innovative metal and ceramic manufacturing and processing approaches. This position will conduct research in hydrogen production and contribute to energy resiliency. The position holder will become an integral part of a team working to dramatically improve materials performance and energy efficiency.

The position holder will lead small research teams to fabricate, characterize, and test high‑temperature electrochemical solid oxide cells, perform electrode kinetics evaluation, and conduct durability studies to understand the performance limitations and degradation of the electrochemical devices. The position holder will interface and collaborate with other researchers to deliver on project milestones.

• Develop and execute experimental plans to synthesize and characterize materials for high‑temperature electrolyzers.
• Direct laboratory work with the support of other technical staff.
• Analyze electrochemical data and formulate conclusions.
• Support scoping, scheduling, and budgeting at a project or major task level.
• Serve as a role model for quality, safety, and security.
• Author and contribute to scientific publications, presentations at professional society conferences, and/or to sponsors.

The position holder should be an expert in at least one technical domain, with the ability to connect multiple domains. The role requires technical leadership to select and develop approaches to complex challenges. The holder will serve as a principal investigator or co‑PI on multiple or significantly complex and/or high‑risk projects or tasks, lead the development of technical sections of large proposals, take lead in scope, schedule, and budget for projects or large tasks, mentor junior staff and peers, and be recognized by sponsors and collaborators for delivery on important program elements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience – or –
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience – or –
• PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, catalysis, physics, or related field with 5+ years of industrial or national research laboratory experience, or MS/MA with 7+ years of similar experience.
• Professional reputation for technical expertise and technical leadership within the SOEC and SOFC field.
• Experience as principal investigator on multiple or significantly complex and/or high‑risk projects or tasks.
• Demonstrated record of publication in top‑tier journals and ability to collaborate and lead within a teaming…