Post Doctorate RA - Materials Sciences – Peptoid Nanomaterials Synthesis

Responsibilities

• Conducting synthesis of sequence-defined peptoids using solid-phase processing and their purification.
• Conducting experiments for self-assembly of sequence-defined peptoids into hierarchical nanomaterials and understanding peptoid solution crystallization, multifunctional Layer-by-Layer (LbL) coating and/or spin coating using peptoid-based crystalline nanomaterials.
• Developing an understanding of the peptoid polymer chemistry and peptoid polymer folding.
• Determining important parameters of self-assembling peptoid sequences, such as pKa, critical micelle concentrations (CMC), critical chain length for macromolecular crystallization.
• Controlling the formation of inorganic (nano) crystals using surfactant-like peptoids and self-assembled peptoid nanomaterials as tunable scaffolds.
• Troubleshooting coating materials and evaluating them for selective moisture transport and (super) omniphobicity.
• Characterizing the structures and morphologies of peptoid-based biomimetic materials using a range of experimental techniques, including Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
• Providing timely report on research progress and presenting organized results to the internal and external teams.
• Leading manuscript development and maintaining a strong overall publication record in peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• Disseminating the research results via participation in research conferences.
• Interacting, communicating, and coordinating with a multidisciplinary team of researchers within the Material Sciences group, PSD, and across PNNL.
• The ability to adapt, refine, or innovate experimental tools based on research needs.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in the completion of tasks important to the projects. These include preparation of first drafts of manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, technical presentations at scientific conferences.
• Strong analytical skills, written and verbal communication skills with experience collaborating with a diverse group of scientists and technical staff.

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:

• PhD in Chemistry or Polymer Chemistry.
• Track record and research lab experience in polymer nanoscience, macromolecular self-assembly and bio-controlled inorganic crystallization.
• Proven background and publications in polymer nanoscience, chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science.
• Detailed knowledge of and hands-on experience with spectroscopic and microscopic nanomaterials characterization methods, such as AFM, TEM, SEM, and fluorescence microscope.

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401(k) savings plan with company match.

Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year. All benefits are dependent upon eligibility. Research Associates are excluded.

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers.

Minimum Salary: USD $69,000.00 per year.

Maximum Salary: USD $ per year.