Postdoctoral Appointee - Discovery Chemistry & Functional Materials, Onsite

About the role

We are seeking a high-caliber, innovative POSTDOCTORAL APPOINTEE to join an interdisciplinary team pioneering the discovery of novel small molecules, polymers, and functional architectures.

Responsibilities

• Molecular Design & Synthetic Execution: Spearhead the multi-step design, synthesis, and purification of novel organic, organometallic, and polymeric targets; apply cutting-edge synthetic methodologies and air-free techniques.
• Structure-Property Relationships (SPR): Systematically map structure-activity/property trends (e.g., electronic tuning, photophysical behavior, degradation kinetics, sorption affinity) to guide iterative molecular optimization.
• Advanced Characterization & Analytics: Utilize a comprehensive suite of analytical tools (1D/2D NMR, HRMS, UV-Vis, XRD, DSC/TGA, FT-IR) to establish structural proof, purity, and thermal/mechanistic stability profiles.
• Cross-Functional & Translational Impact: Collaborate tightly with materials scientists, characterization specialists, and chemical engineers to evaluate target performance and translate milligram-scale hits into scalable, robust systems.
• Process & Assay Development: Establish and refine standardized experimental protocols, assay workflows, and stability screening methodologies.
• Scientific Leadership: Communicate technical milestones across multi-institutional leadership, author peer-reviewed manuscripts, and present discoveries at national/international conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on Molecular Synthesis Skills: Practical experience in organic, organometallic, or macromolecular synthesis, including standard air-free/Schlenk-line or glovebox techniques.
• Characterization Fundamentals: Proficiency in routine methods for structural confirmation and purity analysis (e.g., NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, Mass Spectrometry, or thermal analysis like TGA/DSC).
• Research Productivity: A track record of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the ability to drive a research project through to completion.

Qualifications We Desire

• Collaborative Mindset: Strong interest in working across disciplines to connect synthetic chemistry with material performance and engineering targets.
• Experience with gas/vapor sorption systems (e.g., BET, volumetric/gravimetric gas physisorption) and macromolecular/polymer synthesis.
• Understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals (e.g., mass transfer, thermal transport, scale-up dynamics, or process safety).
• Exposure to computational chemistry, molecular modeling, or automated/high-throughput computational (or experimental) screening methods.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring graduate/undergraduate researchers and/or managing laboratory safety/equipment workflows.

About Our Team

The Materials Chemistry Department is a group of Chemists, Material Scientists, and Chemical Engineers who actively supports the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile by providing materials expertise to SNL's non-nuclear components. We use our understanding of chemical properties to design, evaluate and exploit monomers, polymers and functional materials. Our core competencies span foams, composites, adhesives, plastics, surface finishing and electrochemical deposition. We have the facilities for materials characterization, design prototyping and WR processing.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

EEO

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements For MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Position Information

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment. Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.