Postdoctoral Researcher – Electrochemical Conversion Device Development

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado and is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories.

About the role

A Postdoctoral Researcher position is available in NLR’s Chemistry and Nanoscience Center to work on the fabrication and testing of electrochemical conversion devices with a focus on chemical production. Efforts will include evaluation of CO₂ electrolyzers that perform gas-phase CO₂ reduction at the cathode and alkaline water oxidation at the anode to investigate how device and electrode-level modifications impact thermodynamic and kinetic levers that control product selectivity. While the primary application is CO₂ conversion, the knowledge gleaned from this effort will be translatable to other electrochemical conversion processes like fuel cells, electrolyzers, separation processes, and other chemical production efforts.

The candidate will be responsible for the fabrication of electrodes and devices used for chemical conversion, experimental design, in-situ electrochemical testing, and the interpretation of electrochemical performance. This candidate will work with a team of experts to scale up novel concepts from 5 and 25 cm² to 400 cm² devices, utilizing technoeconomic assessment to establish key performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Fabrication of electrodes and devices for electrochemical conversion.
• Design and execution of experiments for in-situ electrochemical testing.
• Interpretation of electrochemical performance data.
• Collaborate with a team to scale up novel concepts from 5 and 25 cm² to 400 cm² devices.
• Utilize technoeconomic assessment to establish key performance metrics.

Requirements

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Fundamental knowledge of electrochemistry.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in synthesis of electrodes for electrochemical conversion processes.
• Electrochemical characterization of electrodes and cell properties through diagnostics such as limiting current and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Understanding of electrode morphology and impacts of processing and chemical nature on structure, performance, and durability of electrodes used in electrochemical conversion devices.
• Experience with performance and durability testing of cells/stacks.
• Demonstrated track record of success in addressing fundamental and applied science questions and devising solutions to challenging problems.

Preferred

• Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or materials science & engineering.
• Record of publications/presentations in areas related to polymer electrolytes, electrolyzers, and/or fuel cells.
• Knowledge of supporting physical characterization techniques (microscopy, scattering, etc.).

Pay

Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400 (based on full-time 40 hours per week). NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• Pension benefits.
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
• Personal time off (PTO) and sick leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Eligibility for performance-, merit-, and achievement-based awards that include a monetary component (for some positions).
• Relocation expense reimbursement (for some positions).

Schedule

40 hours per week.

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card, which includes a favorable background investigation. NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. A pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana, is required and a positive result may withdraw the employment offer.