About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic team of scientists performing research and development in the field of lithium ion battery recycling. You'll work with staff members and technologists to synthesize, process, and characterize lithium ion battery cathode materials. Applicants should be experienced with formulation and characterization of bulk and nanoscale layered metal oxides (LMOs) and experienced, or interested in developing an expertise in, exfoliation and reassembly of battery-relevant LMO materials. You will be expected to contribute and execute innovative research ideas, publish your research in peer-reviewed journals, and present your research at various internal and external forums. You will also be expected to participate in technology commercialization efforts.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Perform synthesis and manipulation of nanoscale battery cathode LMOs using microwave solvothermal techniques.
• Develop and optimize microwave-assisted ¿upcycling¿ techniques for producing value-added energy materials from nanoscale precursors.
• Perform materials characterization, including: powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), composition and surface characterization (FTIR, Raman), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), electrochemical performance, and electronic structure (XPS, UV-Vis).
• Perform product purification and spectroscopic characterization via NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MALDI-TOF, Reverse Phase HPLC, GC-MS
• Analyze results and characterize data, interpret findings for presentation to group members, and propose next steps to achieve experimental goals.
• Formulate nanoscale materials from bulk precursors, including optimization of compounding procedures, interlayer composition, and surface modification using solid state ceramic, topochemical, and solvothermal techniques.
• Use a glove box to handle air-sensitive materials.
• Assemble, cycle, and disassemble electrodes, isolate target materials, characterize electrochemical performance of products (cyclic voltammetry, EIS, galvanostatic cycling), and propose/implement solutions to improve performance.
• Basic lab and equipment maintenance.
• Contribute to technology commercialization efforts, including carrying out research for technoeconomic analysis, developing commercialization plans, and presenting to non-technical audiences

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD conferred in the last 5 years, in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related STEM field
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Experience with synthesis and modification of layered metal oxide materials via ceramic and topochemical techniques
• Experience with microwave solvothermal synthesis and manipulation of nanoscale LMOs with battery-relevant compositions
• Experience with battery cathode recycling/upcycling techniques, including technoeconomic and scalability aspects of different commercial and benchtop methods and materials
• Experience with a broad range of materials characterization techniques (XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, Raman, SEM, TEM, EDS, TGA/DSC, AFM)
• Advanced transmission electron microscopy experience, including solo operation, high-resolution techniques (HR-TEM), and ancillary analysis methods (EDAX, EELS, SAED)
• Advanced X-ray diffraction and crystallography experience, including structural refinement, lattice defect analysis, and phase identification
• Experience in data analysis using OriginLab, MATLAB, or similar
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience or interest in technology commercialization
• A dedication to producing high-quality results using good laboratory techniques and focused attention to detail
• Ability to rapidly learn new skills and work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong work ethic and ability to contribute as a member of a multi-disciplinary team

About Our Team:

Sandia National Laboratories Microsystems and Engineering Sciences Applications (MESA) complex provides unique processing capability in semiconductor microfabrication. The MESAFab Operations departments develop and maintain core semiconductor processing capabilities and capacity that enable our customers to build differentiating Microsystems products. Two unique facilities are co-located within the 65,000 square foot MESAFab complex including: (1) a 12,000 square foot Class 1 Silicon Fab for 6-inch silicon wafer processing and (2) a 15,000 square foot Class 10 and Class 100 MicroFab for compound semiconductor material processing and silicon wafer post-processing. Key microfabrication processing areas include photolithography, reactive ion etch, wet etch/clean, oxidation and diffusion, thin films, CMP (planarization), ion implantation, metrology, deep reactive silicon ion etch, wafer bonding and thinning, electroplating, packaging, MEMS release, yield learning and statistical process control.The Silicon Fab has processing expertise in both CMOS and MEMS technologies. Over 150 equipment sets are maintained, supported and operated 24 hours per day, 5 days a week (3 shifts). Both processing and maintenance expertise are staffed on all 3 shifts. We offer unique prototyping capabilities. We are capable of producing full flow production lots with quick turnaround time as well as performing flexible process development. The MicroFab has expertise in compound semiconductor material processing. All of the MicroFab equipment (180 tools) are maintained and supported by our in-house maintenance and technical staff. We are capable of producing highly customized, low-volume production or prototyping devices and have flexible processing capabilities.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Position Information:

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

Job ID: 698790

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F