Postdoctoral Research Associate - Experimental Geochemistry

Requisition Id 16381 

­­Overview:  

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on understanding the longevity of precipitated amorphous materials, including those containing critical materials. This position resides in the Geochemistry and Interfacial Sciences (GIS) Group in the Chemical Science Division (CSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  

 

The selected candidate will work collaboratively with scientists in CSD to develop an understanding of stability of amorphous carbonate and other amorphous materials. In addition to working in GIS group laboratories, the research will also take advantage of DOE user facilities, e.g., the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) at ORNL or at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory.

 

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will focus on scientific projects to advance our understanding of the lifetimes of amorphous materials, including those containing critical materials. You will work as part of a team whose interests include, but not limited to, chemical separation, chemical extraction, structural characterization, and solution-solid reaction.

 

Our main goals are: (1) Synthesize amorphous carbonates or other amorphous materials and conduct amorphous-to-crystalline transformation experiments, (2) Perform X-ray, neutron and microscopy measurements on powder (crystalline or amorphous) samples under in situ conditions (3) Utilize complementary characterization techniques.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Perform wet chemical experiments to synthesize amorphous materials
• Perform neutron and X-ray scattering experiments that focus on in situ observation of kinetics and analyze data
• Publish scientific papers and present results from this research at national and international meetings as appropriate.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in geosciences, chemistry, materials sciences, materials chemistry, chemical engineering or a related field completed within the last 5 years. 
• Experience with synthesis and characterization of minerals, precipitated amorphous materials or nanomaterials

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in wet chemistry
• Experience with solid characterization (e.g., Raman, SEM, EPMA and other characterization techniques) and liquid characterization (e.g., ICP-OES or ICP-MS).
• Experience with working in user facilities.
• A strong record of productive and creative research demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
• 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.

 

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.  Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and in