Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research on the development of new electrodes, porous transport layers, and flow field plates for electrochemical systems. Target applications will be water electrolysis, flow batteries, chemical synthesis reactors. You will actively participate in a multidisciplinary team performing materials design, catalyst and system benchmarking, advanced characterization, and modeling and simulations. This position is in the Materials for Energy and Climate Security group of the Materials Science Division.

In this role you will 

• Conduct research in electrocatalyst design, synthesis, and testing, including characterizing the reaction kinetics, materials physicochemical properties, and performance degradation.
• Develop systems for benchmarking catalysts and electrolyzers, and for in situ characterization of the dynamics of electrolyzer components and local reaction environments.
• Contribute to and actively participate in the conception, design, and execution of experiments to establish design principles for catalysts and scale-up of electrolyzers.
• Pursue independent but complementary research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Collaborate with scientists in a multidisciplinary and multi-institution team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Maintain laboratory protocols and best safety practices.
• Document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals; and present results within the DOE community, at project team meetings, and at conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• This position requires either no security clearance, or a Department of Energy (DOE) L-level or Q-level clearance depending on the particular assignment. For L- and Q-level position, requires the ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE L- or Q-level security clearance, which required U.S. Citizenship.
• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Hands on experience building, validating, and using electrochemistry infrastructure for the development of electrocatalytic systems.
• Experience with electrocatalyst design and establishment of catalyst structure-property relationships.
• Knowledge and experience in one or more key areas: electrolyzers or related electrochemical technologies, flow batteries, heterogeneous electrocatalysis, in situ characterization, advanced manufacturing, and/or materials synthesis.
• Ability as an innovative experimentalist with a broad range of experience in experimental design, techniques, and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute independent research projects as documented through a strong publication record of peer-reviewed literature.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to allow effective collaboration in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills with desire and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with the chemistry, materials, and systems relevant to electrochemical carbon dioxide and biomass conversion.
• Experience with conventional analytical techniques (NMR, GC, MS, HPLC, SEM, XPS, XRD, etc.) and synchrotron advanced characterization methods.
• Experience with advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3-D printing.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years.  Eligible candidates are those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2022 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Work for a premier innovative national Laboratory
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Collaborative, creative, inclusive, and fun team environment

Learn more about our company, selection process, position types and security clearances by visiting our Career site . 

Security Clearance

This position requires either no security clearance, or a Department of Energy (DOE) L-level or Q-level clearance depending on the particular assignment.  

If you are selected and a security clearance is required, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  L and Q-level clearances require U.S. citizenship.  

If no security clearance is required, but your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)

For additional information, please see DOE Order 472.2 (link is external) . 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Equal Employment Opportunity

LLNL is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing candidates and employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We value and hire a diverse workforce as it is a vital component of our culture and success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

LLNL invites you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law (link is external) and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (link is external) .

Reasonable Accommodation

At LLNL, our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request via our online form . 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here .