Visiting Student – MSD – Kaplan, Ainsley – 8.4.26

This visiting graduate student position will support a collaborative research project focused on investigating the nanoscale dynamics and thermo-mechanical behavior of dynamic epoxy covalent adaptable networks (CANs) embedded with functional nanoparticles. The student will lead efforts to synthesize nanoparticle-filled dynamic epoxies, including coating ferric oxide Curie nanoparticles with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) to enable crosslinking into a disulfide-containing polymer matrix.
Key responsibilities include:
• Developing and characterizing thin-film polymer systems utilizing the high-pressure Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) environment under supercritical CO2 to prevent dewetting and achieve consistent film thickness.
• Conducting advanced X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) experiments at Beamline sector 8-ID to track local relaxation dynamics, network topology, and nanoscale heterogeneity under large external tensile or compressive stresses.
• Designing and building an in-situ experimental apparatus to evaluate mechanical responses coupled with self-limiting inductive heating generated by embedded superparamagnetic nanoparticles.

Education and Experience Requirements

• The entirety of the appointment must be conducted within the United States.

• Must be 18 years or older at the time the appointment begins.

• Applicants must be:

o Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution. o Graduated from an accredited institution within the past 3 months; or

o Actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.

• Academic Background: Enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering (or a closely related discipline) with an excellent academic track record.
• Polymer Chemistry & Synthesis: Demonstrated hands-on experience in the synthesis, chemical modification, scaling, and processing of polymer resins, specifically epoxy thermosets containing dynamic covalent bonds (e.g., disulfides).
• Material Characterization: Proficient in structural and chemical characterization tools such as NMR, FTIR, and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
• Mechanical Testing: Solid understanding and practical experience in macroscale mechanical characterization, including uniaxial tensile testing and flexural fatigue setups.
• Nanomaterials & Interfaces: Familiarity with the functionalization of inorganic nanoparticles (e.g., magnetic or ferric oxide fillers) and evaluating interfacial phenomena in polymer nanocomposites.
• Safety & Leadership: Experience managing laboratory safety protocols or serving as a safety designate within an academic research environment.

Job Family

Visiting Student Graduate

Job Profile

Visiting Student - Graduate

Worker Type

Contingent Worker

Time Type

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

EEO Information

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.