Postdoctoral Researcher in Battery Materials Development

Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher in Battery Materials Development

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Location
CO – Golden

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Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week
40

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Working at NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation’s primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

Multiple postdoctoral researcher positions are available in NREL’s Materials, Chemical, and Computational Science Directorate in support of programs focused on developing next-generation battery electrodes.

One postdoctoral researcher will develop, test, and refine hypotheses related to reducing the chemical reactivity of anode materials towards liquid electrolytes in Li-ion or Na-ion batteries. Another postdoctoral researcher will understand the impact of impurities in battery materials through materials and electrochemical characterization. Other potential projects are the optimization of battery slurries and electrode architectures to enable high loading electrodes and the study of earth-abundant material systems for stationary storage applications.

Key experience and knowledge for candidates includes expertise in at least one of the following: electrochemical principles, synthesis and characterization of battery materials, heterogeneous electrocatalysis, materials science/chemistry, rheology, spectroscopic and microscopic characterization, and the effects of pressure on the fundamental mechanisms involved in charge/discharge reactions. 

For all positions, efforts will support larger multi-investigator and multi-institution projects.  As work is synergistic with larger team efforts, qualified candidates must demonstrate an aptitude for collaboration and teaming as well as interpreting and assessing the experimental results of their own work and that of others.  A track record of success from prior research as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and presentations is a key requirement.  Excellent interpersonal, as well as oral and written communication skills are essential for success at NREL.  Finally, inclusion and diversity are core values, and employees will be expected to support a work environment that maximizes the unique talents and innovative ideas of every worker.

Please see more about our Postdoc experience in the Materials, Chemical and Computational Science Directorate at NREL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmE7-M723oo

Applicants should submit their curriculum vitae and cover letter addressing the following:

1.Describe what makes you the best candidate for this position.

2.What career path do you envision for yourself?

3.What about NREL makes it an attractive place to bring your talents and enable your professional goals?

4.When is your preferred start date as a Postdoc at NREL?

Given the applied nature of this work and intellectual property considerations, postdoctoral researchers will be expected to rigorously follow NREL’s policies and procedures on securing data and information.

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Basic Qualifications
Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, or related field. Record of publications/presentations in areas relevant to NREL projects

Preferred Qualifications

Additional relevant skills of interest include a strong knowledge of electrochemical interfaces, solid/electrolyte interphases; electroanalytical techniques; synthesis and surface chemistry manipulation of macromolecular and nanoparticulate systems; electrochemical and/or spectroscopic analysis of charge transfer processes and correlation to interfacial chemistry.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $73,200 – $120,800

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance*; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

EEO is the Law tendersglobal.net Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination tendersglobal.net Reasonable Accommodations

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