Postdoctoral Research Associate - Reaction Kinetics of Energetic Species

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The Chemistry Division is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate in the EPIP group. The successful candidate will use a combination of electron pulse radiolysis, gamma radiolysis, and/or laser flash photolysis to gain a fundamental mechanistic understanding of the radiation chemistry of organic solvents, including the development of new radical scavengers for the conversion of radiolytic solvent radicals into secondary reductants/oxidants or unreactive species.

Exploiting the knowledge gained from the above mentioned studies, the research will also involve the use of pulse radiolysis as a tool for the characterization of transient intermediates involved in energy-related catalytic processes in organic solvents, e.g., CO2 reduction and other chemical transformations, and the radiolysis of non-aqueous media that are used in energy applications, e.g., ionic liquids and alkyl carbonates. The position will make heavy use of the unique time-resolved mid-infrared (TRIR) detection capabilities at ACER in this work.

This position is funded for the 2-year term.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and carry out research in radiation-induced reaction kinetics and mechanisms, including pulse radiolysis experiments on ACER’s accelerator facilities.
• Data analysis (e.g., fitting transient absorption data, making plots of spectra).
• Manuscript preparation and presentation of results at national and international meetings.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• PhD in Chemistry, or a related field.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in the field of photochemistry/catalysis, electrochemistry/catalysis, or spectroscopy.
• Use of pulse radiolysis, optical transient absorption, time-resolved infrared, or related spectroscopic methods.
• Experience with basic synthetic methods, electrochemistry, and sample preparation under inert conditions.
• Kinetic modeling, thermodynamics, electron transfer.

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:

• Interaction with Hazardous Chemicals (NFPA Health Hazard 3 and 4-CMS Report)
• Will be expected to lift items at or less than 40lbs
• Exposure to static magnetic fields >5 gauss

Additional Information:

• BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.

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