Postdoctoral Researcher in AI-Enabled Autonomous Materials Discovery

The Nanoscience and Technology Division and the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM) at Argonne National Laboratory invite applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher or Argonne Associate position. We seek a highly motivated candidate to contribute to an interdisciplinary research effort at the intersection of materials science, laboratory automation, and artificial intelligence. This position will support the development of an AI-enabled autonomous experimentation (AI/AE) platform aimed at accelerating materials discovery. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, organic crystal growth and structure–property relationship discovery.

About the Role

This position offers the opportunity to leverage Argonne’s world-class scientific capabilities and engage with a strong network of internal and industry collaborators. The role integrates robotic experimentation, advanced characterization, and machine learning.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of an AI-enabled autonomous experimentation (AI/AE) platform aimed at accelerating materials discovery.
• Support the design and execution of experiments using automated or high-throughput laboratory systems.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to integrate crystallization science, advanced characterization techniques, and machine learning algorithms.
• Develop and implement data processing and statistical analysis pipelines using Python or similar programming languages.
• Participate in the interpretation of experimental results and the generation of reports.
• Engage in outreach activities to promote collaboration between Argonne and external partners.

Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Expertise in crystallization science, including solubility behavior, nucleation kinetics, and polymorph screening.
• Experience with characterization techniques such as UV/Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
• Experience working with automated or high-throughput laboratory systems.
• Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages for data processing, statistical analysis, and integration with AI/ML tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Unofficial Ph.D. transcripts if available.
• If already awarded, a copy of the Ph.D. diploma.

Skills

• Expertise in crystallization science.
• Experience with characterization techniques such as UV/Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
• Experience working with automated or high-throughput laboratory systems.
• Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

Pay

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. Please note that the pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.