Automation Materials Chemist - Postdoctoral Researcher

About the role

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Responsibilities

• Develop automated, high-throughput platforms and workflows for degradation monitoring and materials evaluation.
• Design and execute electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and complementary analytical experiments to characterize metal degradation, corrosion, and related electrochemical processes.
• Develop ex situ and operando measurement protocols to investigate the effects of chemical environments and reactive species on metal degradation mechanisms.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate electrochemical, Raman, fluid-handling, robotic, and data-acquisition systems.
• Define system requirements, testing workflows, and interfaces for newly developed automated platforms.
• Pursue independent but complementary research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Maintain laboratory protocols, equipment, and best safety practices.
• Document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Corrosion Science, or a related field.
• Experience with programming for data analysis, instrument control, automation, or visualization.
• Experience integrating laboratory instruments, sensors, robotics, fluidics, or automated sample-handling systems.
• Experience with electrochemical characterization of metals, coatings, polymers, or related materials.
• Knowledge of metal degradation, corrosion mechanisms, electrochemical aging, or materials durability.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills as reflected in effective presentations at seminars, meetings and/or teaching lectures.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills with desire and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Skills

• Experience designing, formulating, synthesizing, and characterizing polymer coatings and other protective materials for metals.
• Experience with operando or in situ characterization methods, including Raman spectroscopy, for chemical and structural materials characterization.
• Experience with statistical analysis, design of experiments, machine learning, or predictive modeling.
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Benefits

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

Pay

$123,048 Annually

Schedule

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.