Postdoctoral Researcher - Spectroelectrochemistry

Requisition Id 13625 

Overview: 

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

 

We are seeking a post doctoral researcher focused on understanding reactions and processes that occur with silicon anode materials for next generation batteries.  This position resides in the Energy Storage Membrane Materials Group in the Chemical Sciences Division (X060), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) but will involve close (daily) collaborations with scientists/team members across the laboratory.  Potential candidates are expected to contribute to the development unique science directions, in collaboration with the Team and sponsoring organizations.  Furthermore, the position requires collaborating and interacting with staff at ORNL’s Battery Manufacturing Facility located at the National Transportation Research Center, the Spallation Neutron Source on Chestnut Ridge, and within the Physical Sciences Directorate at ORNL.  This position will support the laboratories mission of world leading energy storage science and delivering solutions to pressing energy storage problems essential to economic develop and security of the United States.

 

Applicants are expected to perform experiments to understand reactions and reaction mechanisms that occur over silicon anode materials. The candidate will make extensive use of electrochemistry and spectroscopy to explore reaction mechanisms.  Further, the candidate will be expected to construct test cells including pouch cells to probe reactions and direct reactions.  The candidate will be expected to apply state-of-the-art scattering methods (both X-ray and neutrons) including neutron diffraction analysis along with detailed electrochemical measurements related to transport and interfacial stability to understand the nucleation and growth and transport properties of solid ceramic-polymer ion conductors.  Other characterization studies will be implemented as appropriate for the materials including resistivity, photoelectron spectroscopy, ion transport, and detailed analytical analysis of composition.  Applicants will be expected to compose or participate in the composition of reports and peer reviewed publications. As part of our research team, the candidate will be expected to collaborate across a variety of projects related to vehicle, grid, and space batteries.  In addition, the applicant will be expected to engage with the team and develop/improve suitable laboratory procedures and aspects related to safety and best practices.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Build batteries and evaluate electrochemistry of silicon anodes
• Evaluate loss mechanisms through use of reference electrodes
• Structure characterization using ex and in situ scattering along with analysis of this data
• Perform characterization studies of battery materials
• Coordinate research with other team members inside and outside ORNL
• Design and evaluate special cells required for in situ electrochemical studies
• Work with sponsors to achieve project goals and deliverables
• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality program requirements
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications: