Postdoctoral Research Associate - Thermoelectric Materials Additive Manufacturing

Requisition Id 13369 

Overview: 

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher who will focus on additive manufacturing of thermoelectric materials for advanced applications. You will work with ceramic and intermetallic materials. You will conduct experimental research with additive manufacturing via powder-bed fusion and binder jetting. In addition, advanced materials processing methods such as spark plasma sintering will also be utilized for proof concept experiments. If selected, you will be expected to collaborate amongst other research groups focusing on basic and applied research in various fields applicable to the current project. This position resides in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD) in the Energy Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). You will be in the Extreme Environment Materials Process Group and will collaborate closely with the System Automation & Monitoring Research and Deposition Science & Technology Groups.

 

As part of our research team, you will be among team members based at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF), the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) first facility established to provide affordable and convenient access to R&D expertise, facilities, and tools to facilitate rapid adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies including additive manufacturing of alloys, ceramics, and composites. To improve the capabilities of this facility you will aid the advanced manufacturing efforts to develop novel process and materials for strategic energy applications. You will perform the fundamental science to improve materials selection and processing of thermoelectric materials via additive manufacturing; publish original peer reviewed research articles; supervise students, technicians, and technical professional staff; and work with research staff across the lab.

 

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.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Perform fundamental research to develop additive manufacturing of thermoelectric materials.
• Develop processing/microstructure/property relationships.
• Perform advanced material characterization including XRD, SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and others.
• 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.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in materials science, ceramic engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, metallurgy, or a closely related field
• Experience with processing of thermoelectric materials
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in crystalline materials processing
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate to an international, scientific audience.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.