Description

­­Overview:  

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on understanding the longevity of precipitated amorphous materials, including those containing critical materials. This position resides in the Geochemistry and Interfacial Sciences (GIS) Group in the Chemical Science Division (CSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  

The selected candidate will work collaboratively with scientists in CSD to develop an understanding of stability of amorphous carbonate and other amorphous materials. In addition to working in GIS group laboratories, the research will also take advantage of DOE user facilities, e.g., the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) at ORNL or at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will focus on scientific projects to advance our understanding of the lifetimes of amorphous materials, including those containing critical materials. You will work as part of a team whose interests include, but not limited to, chemical separation, chemical extraction, structural characterization, and solution-solid reaction.

Our main goals are: (1) Synthesize amorphous carbonates or other amorphous materials and conduct amorphous-to-crystalline transformation experiments, (2) Perform X-ray, neutron and microscopy measurements on powder (crystalline or amorphous) samples under in situ conditions (3) Utilize complementary characterization techniques.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

Perform wet chemical experiments to synthesize amorphous materials
Perform neutron and X-ray scattering experiments that focus on in situ observation of kinetics and analyze data
Publish scientific papers and present results from this research at national and international meetings as appropriate.
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:

A PhD in geosciences, chemistry, materials sciences, materials chemistry, chemical engineering or a related field completed within the last 5 years. 
Experience with synthesis and characterization of minerals, precipitated amorphous materials or nanomaterials

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in wet chemistry
Experience with solid characterization (e.g., Raman, SEM, EPMA and other characterization techniques) and liquid characterization (e.g., ICP-OES or ICP-MS).
Experience with working in user facilities.
A strong record of productive and creative research demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
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.
Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.
 

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

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.

Special Requirements:

Postdocs: 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
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Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

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.