Synthetic Chemistry Automation & Advanced Manufacturing - Postdoctoral Researcher

About the role

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) advances science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability across nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense. This Postdoctoral Researcher position is in the Functional Materials Synthesis and Integration Group within the Energetic Materials & Design (EMD) section of the Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, supporting the Energetic Materials Center (EMC) at Site 300. Site 300 is a 7,000‑acre experimental test site located in the rural foothills southwest of Tracy and southeast of Livermore, hosting expertise in engineering, chemistry, biology, and environmental restoration; employees may be exposed to the organism that causes San Joaquin Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis). The appointment is full‑time, on‑site only, with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years. Candidates must have received their Ph.D. (or equivalent doctorate) within five years of the anticipated start date and must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, a post‑offer pre‑employment drug test, and compliance with restrictions on wireless and medical devices in limited areas.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and optimize synthetic routes and experimental procedures using modern organic synthesis methods, with emphasis on heterocyclic and small‑molecule chemistry and the development of continuous flow processes.
• Apply and interpret analytical techniques commonly used in synthetic organic chemistry (NMR, HPLC, MS, IR, UV spectroscopy) to characterize and evaluate synthesized compounds.
• Analyze experimental data to establish structure, process, and property relationships, and use these insights to guide scientific understanding and future research directions.
• Document research findings in technical reports and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Present research results to sponsors and the broader scientific community through technical meetings and scientific conferences.
• Develop and pursue an independent research direction that complements and aligns with broader programmatic goals.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external research partners and contribute to multidisciplinary research efforts.
• Manage assigned research activities to meet project timelines and deliverables, while proactively communicating risks, challenges, or deviations to program and line management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship and ability to secure and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance.
• Ph.D. in Synthetic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, executing, and optimizing synthetic routes and experimental procedures using modern organic synthesis techniques.
• Hands‑on experience in continuous‑flow chemistry, including design, operation, optimization, and troubleshooting of flow reactors and associated synthesis workflows.
• Demonstrated experience in the scale‑up of telescoped and continuous flow processes, including synthesis, crystallization, liquid‑liquid separations, and heterogeneous reaction systems.
• Proven ability to analyze and interpret experimental data and relate findings to chemical structure, processing, and material or chemical properties.
• Demonstrated experience in compound isolation, purification, and characterization using analytical techniques such as NMR, IR, UV spectroscopy, DART‑MS, HPLC, GC‑MS, LC‑MS, Raman, DSC, and TGA.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research, work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, and successfully manage multiple priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate research findings through peer‑reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations at scientific conferences or technical meetings.

Skills

• Experience in heterogeneous acid catalysis, including catalyst design, synthesis, characterization, and application in synthetic organic chemistry and reaction development.
• Hands‑on experience programming and operating automated synthesis workstations, flow reactor systems, or equivalent automated reactor platforms in support of synthesis and formulation research.
• Experience in nitration chemistry and working with energetic compounds, including pyrotechnics, explosives, or propellants.

Benefits