Postdoctoral Research Associate - Quantum Magnetic Materials

Requisition Id 15684

Overview:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to help advance our understanding of quantum magnetic materials through materials synthesis and characterization. Research will involve growth of single crystals and measurements to understand their structural and physical properties including magnetism and thermal transport, as well as helping to identify new magnetic materials that may serve as model systems displaying quantum behaviors. It will also provide opportunities for collaboration with quantum computing efforts within the Quantum Science Center, guiding and experimentally validating simulations efforts for quantum spin systems. This position resides in the Correlated Electron Materials Group in the Materials Science and Technology Division, Physical Sciences Directorate at ORNL, and provides the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds, including condensed matter theorists and experimentalists performing materials synthesis, device fabrication, and neutron scattering, and other advanced characterization.

The position is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, Quantum Science Center. The Quantum Science Center (QSC) is headquartered at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is managed by UT-Battelle for the DOE Office of Science. By uniting national laboratories, academic institutions and industry partners, the QSC is endeavoring to advance American innovation and global leadership by enhancing the computational robustness, algorithmic scalability and simulation accuracy of quantum computing systems. For more information, visit qscience.org.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to collaborative research projects involving synthesis and characterization of bulk materials to understand structural, electronic, and magnetic properties. This includes identifying candidate materials and developing ideas for tuning them toward interesting ground states and behaviors.
• Lead the writing of research papers resulting from your work with support from the group and collaborators, and present research results at scientific conferences.
• Collaborate with researchers outside of our group from diverse backgrounds, within and external to ORNL, including condensed matter theorists and scientists performing device design and fabrication, microscopy, spectroscopy, and neutron scattering.
• Help maintain lab space and equipment including Quantum Design measurement systems.
• Work safely and independently within a supportive group setting.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality program requirements
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in physics, applied physics, material science, chemistry, chemical or electrical engineering, or a related discipline completed within the last five years.
• Background in experimental materials physics research, including materials synthesis and laboratory-based characterization of physical properties (magnetic, transport, crystallographic, thermal, optical).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with bulk single crystal growth of inorganic materials.
• Understanding of crystal growth mechanisms and the underlying materials design principles that guide the synthesis of quantum materials.
• Skilled in characterization and analysis of magnetic and thermal transport properties.
• Experience operating and maintaining Quantum Design instruments.
• Familiarity with the health and safety hazards associated with an experimental condensed matter laboratory that houses an extensive synthesis effort.
• Publication record demonstrating an ability to effectively and efficiently report scientific results.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Letters of Recommendation:

Please submit three letters of reference when applying for this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

• If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.
• Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.