The Postdoctoral Appointee will be part of a multidisciplinary team conducting R&D work related to the chemistry and electrochemistry of molten salts used for electrometallurgy, chemical processing, nuclear, and solar power applications.

With guidance, the appointee will:

• Design and build experiment apparatuses to enable in situ electrochemical tests with high temperature molten salts.

• Perform experiments to characterize the structure of molten salts using various techniques including high energy X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Raman, etc.

• Perform experiments to understand and quantify reaction pathways and kinetics for molten salt chemical 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

To be considered, the candidate will be expected to have the following skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of fundamental thermodynamics and kinetics through past publications or presentations is required.

• 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 is required.

• Experience in electrochemistry or electrochemical engineering is desired.

• Experience with high-temperature molten salt systems, actinide chemistry, or materials science is desired.

• Experience with synchrotron X-ray experiments is desired, but not mandatory.

• 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.

• 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.

This level of knowledge is typically achieved through a formal education in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, nuclear engineering, or related field at the PhD degree level with zero to three years of experience or equivalent in the scientific application of this knowledge and practical laboratory experience.

Job Family

Job Profile

Worker Type

Time Type

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.