Career-Track Research Scientist

$119,124 - $166,764/Yr

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Full-time - Mid Level

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

Berkeley Lab's Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division (ESDR) is seeking a next-generation leader and Scientist to join their Energy Conversion Group (ECG). In this exciting role, you will have the opportunity to work within a dynamic and diverse team to advance the technologies of tomorrow, focusing on the development of materials and systems for electrochemical energy-conversion technologies, including electrolysis and fuel cells. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers across the Lab, other national labs, academia, and industry to realize electrochemical energy-conversion technologies, particularly in the areas of hydrogen generation and use, hydrogen-based energy storage (flow batteries), CO2 reduction, and electrochemical transformations. As a Research Scientist, you will conduct materials and systems diagnostics of electrochemical systems, including fuel cells, and perform structure-property characterization of polymeric materials and ionomer membranes. Your responsibilities will include the fabrication and deposition of ionomer thin films relevant to complex interfaces and electrodes, mechanical characterization of solid-state materials and components, and the characterization of composite materials using a suite of scattering spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. You will also be responsible for developing new protocols or customizations necessary for in-situ and operando capabilities. In this role, you will guide and supervise research and technical support staff and students on projects, plan and execute research tasks, and contribute to intellectual property development. You will also be involved in preparing publications and presentations, as well as communicating with funding sponsors. Your work will be crucial in executing independent and collaborative research that aligns with ECG Mission Goals, including the design, development, fabrication, and characterization of materials and interfaces for electrochemical energy conversion systems. You will maintain safe work practices in the laboratory and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to and execute independent and collaborative research central to ECG Mission Goals.
• Design, develop, fabricate, and characterize materials, interfaces, and their assemblies for electrochemical energy conversion systems.
• Conduct research in fuel cells, flow batteries, electrolysis, and related electrochemical diagnostics.
• Execute effective work plans for multiple projects and analyze data to establish structure-processing-property relationships.
• Develop and install new experimental capabilities for multi-modal and/or in-situ/operando measurements.
• Provide guidance and supervision to research and technical support staff, including Postdoctoral Fellows and Student Assistants.
• Assemble and test setups for fuel cells, electrolysis, and flow battery systems and perform diagnostics tests.
• Carry out polymer thin-film deposition, fabrication, and characterization.
• Participate in research activities in electrochemical diagnostics and mechanical/chemical characterization using various techniques.
• Prepare and deliver written and oral reports for existing programs directly to project sponsors.
• Disseminate research through technical meetings and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Identify funding opportunities and help prepare proposals.
• Maintain safe work practices in the laboratory and ensure equipment maintenance.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on polymers and materials used for electrochemical systems.
• 1 to 4 years of relevant research experience in polymer-electrolyte fuel cells, electrolyzers, and flow batteries.
• Demonstrated experience executing multiple projects in cross-disciplinary fields simultaneously.
• Expertise in advanced characterization of ionomers and interfaces and their integration into components.
• Fluency in fuel cell testing, electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques including kinetic analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Hands-on experience with thin-film fabrication and electrochemical techniques.
• Established record of assembling and testing fuel-cell, electrolysis, and flow battery systems and performing diagnostics tests.
• Strong experience in lab and safety management.
• Broad technical knowledge in polymers and ionomers, their integration into membrane-electrode assemblies for performance evaluation.
• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience with spectroscopy tools and x-ray scattering.

Nice-to-haves

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with 5 years of related experience.
• Established record of scientific publications and presentations in the field of polymers and electrochemical technologies.
• Experience with development of techniques, protocols, and cell setups in fuel cell and electrolysis labs.
• Ability to learn rapidly and integrate new skills into design and development of electrochemical systems.
• Knowledge of transport phenomena, fuel cell testing and durability, and ion-conducting polymers.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $119,124 - $166,764 per year.
• Possibility of extension or conversion to a Career appointment based on performance and availability of funds.
• Opportunities for professional development and research collaboration.
• Inclusive and diverse work environment.