Postdoctoral Appointee - X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy - Military Veterans

The X-Ray Science Division (XSD) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to development of submicron-focused dispersive x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) instrumentation and its application to in-operando chemical mapping of battery cathodes at the Advanced Photon Source. The selected candidate will work with scientists in the XSD Spectroscopy Group to design and construct synchrotron x-ray instrumentation and perform XAS investigations of battery materials. The candidate will also work scientists in the Chemical Science and Engineering Division on preparation of and characterization of battery cells. This project will help to enable the development of next generation battery cathodes by providing critical insights into the mechanisms of capacity fade in novel earth-abundant-element-based Li-ion batteries.

Position Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related field within the last 3 years
• The ability to conduct research addressing fundamental or applied scientific questions
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• The ability to design experiments and instrumentation in support thereof
• Experience conducting synchrotron x-ray experiments
• Experience with X-Ray absorption or emission spectroscopy data analysis
• Knowledge of battery materials and electrochemistry
• Familiarity with computer aided design software
• Familiarity with scientific programing languages such as python

Job Family
Postdoctoral Family

Job Profile
Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type
Full time

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.

Please note that all Argonne employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. All successful applicants will be required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination verification as a condition of employment, subject to limited legally recognized exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination.