Postdoctoral Appointee – Synchrotron Characterization for Critical Materials

We are seeking a highly motivated and flexible postdoctoral researcher to join the Applied Materials Division (AMD) at Argonne National Laboratory to develop advanced methods for in situ and operando characterization using the Advanced Photon Source (APS). This work will support critical material recovery and battery recycling initiatives.

The successful candidate will help drive next-generation methods for in situ and operando characterization at the recently upgraded Advanced Photon Source (APS), expediting the development of critical material recovery and battery recycling strategies. The position will primarily be in collaboration with the new Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Research Facility (METALLIC) and the ReCell Advanced Battery Recycling Center to design, implement, and demonstrate synchrotron-based techniques to inform process development.

The role requires a strong background in synchrotron characterization techniques, mainly three-dimensional imaging (microtomography and nanotransmission X-ray microscopy), as well as experience in diffraction and spectroscopy techniques. Candidates should be creative experimentalists capable of building custom apparatus beyond standard commercial tools for compatibility with synchrotron techniques for a variety of applied projects in material synthesis, manufacturing, and recovery.

In addition to the primary research focus, the appointee will have opportunities to contribute to related projects, including material synthesis and separation processes.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years)in chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, computational science, materials science, or related field.
• Background in synchrotron characterization techniques.
• Experience collecting and analyzing large multimodal datasets (e.g., TXM combined with XANES).
• Experience developing and/or performing in situ and operando characterization experiments.
• Demonstrated success applying for and conducting synchrotron beamtime.
• Skilled written and oral communication skills at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Flexibility to engage across multiple projects and research applications.
• Experience in the following areas is a preferred and will help the candidate succeed: Li-ion batteries, materials characterization, critical materials, recycling, mineral processing, and separations.
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
• This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois five days per week.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python) for advanced data analysis, machine learning, and computer vision to accelerate insights from complex multimodal datasets.
  
  

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $70,758.00-$117,925.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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