OverviewThe Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation's biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation's power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Nuclear Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, delivers science and technology innovations for the environment, energy, and national security. At a time when complex challenges are emerging on many fronts, we address some of the most challenging national and international nuclear issues. This includes providing technological solutions that protect the public health and safety around nuclear facilities, developing durable new materials for extreme nuclear environments, innovating new nuclear processes for the safety and security of the nation, and delivering new approaches for accelerating environmental cleanup of nuclear sites. The division's capabilities and efforts are focused on environmental management of nuclear sites, nuclear regulatory processes, national nuclear security, and advancing nuclear energy.
ResponsibilitiesDesigns, develops, and operates processes or unit operations to create a diverse range of products. Evaluates and manipulates the chemical properties of various substances used in the fabrication of new products. Designs, models evaluates, and implements chemical processes, instrumentation, and equipment to ensure effectiveness in engineering and design. Performs trials, tests, and/or experiments to support engineering, production, and/or R&D activities. Applies the principles of chemistry, nuclear science, biology, physics, material science, math, and engineering to solve problems that involve the production, use or conversion of chemicals, materials, and energy. Uses the principles of biology and the tools of engineering to mimic biological systems to create products or to modify and control biological systems so that they can replace, augment, sustain, or control chemical and mechanical processes.
Contributes to PNNL's research on the synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of hybrid materials and membranes for applications such as off-gas management-including noble gases and iodine-and sensing. You will also help integrate these materials into compact, modular systems that support the Laboratory's directorate objectives.
As a postdoctoral fellow in the Reactor Materials Group, you will join a multidisciplinary team with expertise in advanced functional materials, membranes, and isotope separation. Your research will also explore oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloys derived from functional materials. Working with staff within and across the group, you will develop and integrate new functional materials into compact, modular systems. This work requires expertise in materials science, adsorption, process modeling, and chemical or nuclear engineering.
If you are about to graduate as a researcher ready to test your talents and training in hybrid materials, adsorption, process modelling, isotope separation and hone your skills at a national laboratory widely recognized for its work in the nuclear sciences, we want to connect with you. Details are below; you do not need to meet all the preferred qualifications to be considered.
- Perform experimental research into hybrid material, ODS alloys synthesis, fabrication and scale up.
- Fabrication and characterization of engineered particles.
- Analyze and interpret the adsorption data collected from various adsorption analyzers.
- Built and test off-gas system using advanced materials.
- Process modelling and economic analysis.
- Coordinate with team of people and present research at conferences.
- Develop proposals in collaboration with team.
The position is based at PNNL's Richland campus.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
- PhD in chemical and nuclear engineering, material science, structural materials, Isotope separation, process modeling or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in chemical and nuclear engineering, material science, structural materials, Isotope separation, process modelling or related field.
- Solid background materials and adsorption systems.
- Detailed knowledge of and hands-on experience with materials characterization methods.
- The ability to adapt, refine, or innovate experimental tools based on research needs.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative in the completion of tasks important to the projects. These include preparation of first drafts of papers for peer-reviewed journals, technical reports, technical presentations at scientific conferences.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work in collaboration with a diverse group of scientists and technical staff, ability to communicate effectively with experimentalist and computational modeling colleagues.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot Applicable
Testing Designated PositionThis is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum SalaryUSD $69,000.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $119,100.00/Yr.
