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Postdoctoral Appointee – X-ray Surface Scattering and Spectroscopy on Critical Materials

The X-ray Science Division (XSD) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to fundamental study and applied development of selective solid ionic channel materials and systems for highly efficient transport, capture and separation of rare earth elements critical to renewable energy and national interests (DOE Basic Energy Science Research on Critical Materials: https://science.osti.gov/-/media/bes/pdf/Funding/2021/FY2021_CM_Awards.pdf ).


The selected candidate will work closely with scientists in the XSD Surface Scattering and Microdiffraction (SSM) Group to design and perform synchrotron-based in-situ/in-operando investigations utilizing X-ray surface scattering (e.g. X-ray reflectivity, crystal truncation rod & grazing incidence diffraction) and X-ray absorption/emission spectroscopy (e.g. XANES/EXAFS/XES) to elucidate the selective transport pathway of rare earth ions in solid ionic channels (e.g. MoS2 based two-dimensional few layers and stacked multilayers) at the Advanced Photon Source. The selected candidate will also work with scientists/faculties at Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at University of Chicago in the exploration of candidate electrodes for rare-earth-ion separation and Northwestern University in machine-learning guided predictive modeling for comprehensive and deep X-ray data analysis. This project will help to advance basic chemical and materials sciences that impacts the isolation of critical elements from natural and recycled resources to minimize supply risks and that provides the understanding for identification of substitutes to reduce or eliminate the need for critical elements without losing desired functionalities.


Position Requirements


Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:


Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Nanoscience or related field within the last 3 years The ability to conduct independent 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 Significant experience with studying energy storage or energy conversion related materials or systems (e.g. battery, electrocatalysis, fuel cell etc.), and studying critical materials (e.g. rare-earth elements or platinum-group elements) Significant experience conducting synchrotron X-ray scattering and/or spectroscopy experiments Significant experience with either X-ray surface scattering, X-ray absorption or emission spectroscopy data analysis Knowledge of applied electrochemistry, battery and electrocatalytic electrode materials Familiarity with computer aided design software Familiarity with scientific programing languages such as Fortran, Igor, Matlab or Python etc.

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.


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