Post Doctorate RA - Battery Materials & Systems

About the role

PNNL’s Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of this directorate, creates and delivers real-world solutions supporting the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We focus on connecting fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage. Our systems perspective includes discovery, technology development, scale-up, economic and regulatory analysis, and market acceptance for successful technology commercialization.

The Battery Materials & Systems Group within the Energy and Environment Directorate seeks an outstanding postdoctoral research scientist with a strong background in inorganic synthesis, materials science, and electrochemistry. This role is for an inorganic chemist, materials scientist, or electrochemist with hands-on experience in designing, synthesizing, and characterizing electrochemical materials for energy conversion.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovative research within a team developing advanced electrocatalysts, inorganic proton-conducting membranes, and other functional materials for fuel cells, electrochemical CO₂ reduction, and related electrochemical energy conversion systems.
• Collaborate across interrelated projects to design inorganic materials—such as platinum-group-metal and non-precious-metal catalysts, mixed-metal oxides, and nanostructured composites—to enhance activity, selectivity, and durability under operating conditions.
• Synthesize and characterize inorganic electrochemical materials using techniques such as XRD, XPS, electron microscopy, and electrochemical methods.
• Evaluate material performance in half-cell and full-cell configurations.
• Develop catalysts and/or inorganic proton membranes from materials discovery through electrode fabrication, membrane–electrode assembly integration, and device-level testing in coordination with senior scientists and project managers.
• Leverage automated and high-throughput experimental workflows, including robotic synthesis platforms, automated electrochemical test stations, and machine-learning-guided experimental design, to accelerate materials discovery and optimization.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication and present research findings internally and externally at national/international conferences.
• Develop new ideas for funded research.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD received within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in electrochemistry, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related fields.
• Experience with the design and synthesis of inorganic catalytic and functional materials.
• Problem-solving skills based on a thorough understanding of electrochemistry and the ability to work safely and independently under supervision.
• Experience with ceramic materials or mixed electronic and ionic conductors (a plus).
• Expertise in evaluating complex charge transport mechanisms, such as mixed conduction or specialized ion conductivity.
• Experience with laboratory automation, high-throughput experimentation, or programming (e.g., Python) for instrument control and data analysis (a plus).
• Passion for publication and a strong publication record (a plus).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.
• Robust telehealth care options and several mental health benefits.
• Free wellness coaching and health savings account.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Basic life insurance and disability insurance.
• Employee assistance program and business travel insurance.
• Tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits.
• Supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Company-funded pension plan and 401(k) savings plan with company match (eligibility-dependent).
• Up to 120 vacation hours per year and ten paid holidays per year (Research Associates excluded).

Pay

Minimum Salary: USD $69,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary: USD $119,100.00/Yr.

Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement is determined by relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach excludes positions governed by collective bargaining agreements or specific pay rules.