Postdoctoral Appointee – Membrane Scientist for Electrolyzers

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, USA

Job posting number: #7292021 (Ref:419204)

Posted: November 1, 2024

Job Description

The Applied Materials Division (AMD) at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking to hire a postdoctoral appointee for assessing the chemical and electrochemical durability of polymeric ion-exchange membranes used in electrolyzers. The individual will contribute to the Lab’s broader effort in hydrogen and carbon management R&D. The role will require the individual to work with other experimentalists in water and CO2 electrolyzers.

The candidate will be expected to perform chemical and electrochemical durability studies of hydrocarbon-based low-temperature anion exchange membranes for carbon dioxide and water electrolyzers, as well as the materials and performance studies of catalyst coated membranes for water electrolyzers. The individual will perform NMR, and other analytical methods, to determine the degradation modes and rate of degradation of the membrane samples. The individual will be expected to monitor changes in membrane conductivity, ion-exchange capacity, solution uptake/swelling, and species selectivity after use in electrochemical cells (post-mortem analysis) and after accelerated stress testing.

Position Requirements

  • Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and/or closely related discipline

  • Expertise in ion-exchange membrane testing and characterization

  • Expertise in NMR, chromatography, and mass spectrometry

  • The ability to work collaboratively with teams and individuals in other divisions, laboratories, and companies.

  • We expect excellent communication skills – both written and oral.

  • The successful candidate will need to present research at technical meetings and publish results in peer reviewed journal articles.

  • Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

  • Ability to make our laboratory a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment where all can thrive.

  • Onsite presence is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • The ability to fabricate membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and test them in carbon dioxide electrolyzers and water electrolyzers.

  • Knowledge in water electrolyzer catalyst ink development.

  • Experience in interdisciplinary collaborative research.

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.

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Argonne is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity in our workforce. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne prohibits discrimination or harassment based on an individual's age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.


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More Info

Job posting number:#7292021 (Ref:419204)
Application Deadline:Open Until Filled
Employer Location:Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne,Illinois
United States
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