Postdoctoral Appointee - Chemical & Electrochemical Engineering

Argonne National Laboratory • Full-time • Lemont, Illinois, United States • $55k - $80k / year • 2m ago

The Chemical and Fuel Cycle Technologies division is seeking Postdoctoral Appointees to join a multidisciplinary team developing molten salt-based chemical and electrochemical processes geared towards applications including electrometallurgy, advanced nuclear systems, and decarbonized chemical production. Under the guidance of a supervisor, the postdoctoral appointee will develop fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms in molten salts and apply insights to process development and scale up. Project activities will include the design and development of electrochemical and optical (LIBS, Raman) sensors for molten salts, the development of innovative processes and technologies for recycling actinides to support sustainable fuel cycles, and the application of chemical and electrochemical principles to control and improve product morphology, product quality, and process efficiency at engineering scales.

With guidance, the appointee will:

Perform experiments with electroanalytical and optical measurements to advance the technical understanding and application of molten salt chemistry.
Develop novel process monitoring and control technologies applicable to molten salt and liquid metal systems.
Develop and test new materials and cell configurations.
Perform experiments to understand and quantify reaction pathways and kinetics for molten salt systems.
Communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, and Laboratory management through status updates, technical research reports, project presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and other regular channels.
Develop technical ideas and proposals to advance the application of molten salts to chemical and electrochemical processes.

Position Requirements

Skill in devising and performing experiments to acquire identified data, using and maintaining research equipment, compiling, evaluating, and reporting test results.
Knowledge of general principles and technologies associated with chemical and material processing.
Familiarity with electrochemistry or electrochemical engineering principles.
Experience working safely with hazardous materials using engineering controls such as gloveboxes is desired.
Knowledge of the use of computers to design and control experiments and to analyze and interpret experimental data is required.
Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Ability to model Argonne's Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
Ability to make our laboratory a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment where all can thrive.
To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract.

Job Family
Postdoctoral Family

Job Profile
Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type
Full time

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.