Post Doctorate RA - Experimental Geochemistry

About the role

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments called Directorates, each focused on a specific area of scientific research or function. The Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate (PCSD) excels in experimental, computational, and theoretical chemistry and materials science, alongside advanced computing, applied mathematics, and data science—central to PNNL’s discovery mission. The Physical Sciences Division within PCSD stewards research portfolios in catalysis, materials science, separations, analytical chemistry, geosciences, and chemical physics, aiming to refine molecular-level understanding of multiphase systems and phenomena, including complex interfaces.

As a Postdoc Researcher in the Geochemistry group, you will contribute to PNNL’s goals in understanding complex systems vital to national energy and environmental resources. This is an onsite position.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research and work on team assignments.
• Develop and perform benchtop and hydrothermal liquid–rock reactions to study metal ion interaction, incorporation, and distribution in natural and synthetic minerals, delineating their dissolution, nucleation, growth, and crystallization.
• Use various wet chemical and optical spectroscopy techniques, such as Raman, FTIR, and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES/EXAFS), with complementary microscopy and elemental analysis (e.g., XRD/SAXS, DLS, SEM/TEM, AFM, ICP).
• Develop models to interpret hydrothermal liquid–rock reaction data.
• Interact, communicate, and problem-solve with a diverse team of research staff within PCSD, EMSL, and across PNNL.
• Contribute as a team member to support publications and reports led by other researchers.
• Lead manuscript development and maintain a strong publication record in peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• Present research at technical conferences and project/program review meetings.
• Participate in the development of research proposals.

Your research will help advance DOE missions in critical minerals, environmental cleanup, and sustainable materials.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in Geochemistry and Material Science.
• Skills in wet chemistry; optical spectroscopy; synchrotron-based techniques (EXAFS, SXAS, XRF, etc.) and data fitting.
• Interest in advancing measurement approaches and applying them to complex problems.

Benefits

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

Pay

Minimum Salary: USD $69,000.00/year

Maximum Salary: USD $119,100.00/year

Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and determined based on relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This position is not governed by collective bargaining agreements or specific pay rules for limited-term positions.