Postdoctoral Research Associate - Automation and Data Analytics for Electron Microscopy

Requisition Id 12003 

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 Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on development and application of automated transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) techniques and corresponding data analysis methods at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The applicant will work closely with scientists both at ORNL and institutions associated with the US Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Shot Initiative, which aim to enable large-scale, cost-effective generation and utilization of green hydrogen. This position resides in the Materials MicroÅnalysis Group in the Nanomaterials Characterization Section, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at ORNL.  

 

The research you will conduct and focus on advancing methods for (S)TEM imaging and spectroscopy of metal nanoparticles and polymer thin films, with the goal of revealing unique structural and compositional information. These methods will, for example, enable automated acquisition of high-resolution (S)TEM data and analysis of the associated large data sets to produce robust, spatially resolved statistical measurements with reduced bias. Independent and motivated candidates capable of generating novel ideas, planning, and executing appropriate experiments, and extracting meaningful results through innovative analysis methods are encouraged to apply. A strong candidate will have a demonstrated background in custom instrument control and coding for data analysis, including use of AI/ML methods, preferably for (S)TEM.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Conduct research to advance and develop experimental and data analysis methods for (S)TEM imaging and spectroscopy of metal nanoparticles and polymer thin films.
• Report and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner.
• Present results at international scientific conferences and at consortia meetings.

• 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:

• A PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field completed within the last 5 years

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with high-resolution (S)TEM imaging and spectroscopy.
• Strong demonstrated background in coding data analysis using Python (numpy/scipy/scikit-learn), MATLAB, etc.
• Experience with AI/ML for data analysis.
• Experience in custom instrument control, e.g., using LabVIEW, etc.
• Experience with electronics and circuits.
• An excellent record of productive and creative research shown by a record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory 
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

 

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

 

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

 

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