Postdoctoral Fellow (Enhanced Li-ion Batteries)
Berkeley Lab’s Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division (ESDR) has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the area of Enhanced Li-ion Batteries.
In this role, you will work to determine and improve performance and durability of Li-ion cathodes, including cell fabrication and testing, post-mortem analysis, and diagnosis of performance-limiting and durability-limiting phenomena. The primary focus of the work will be to develop processes that lead to thick, high-loading electrodes with low impedance and good mechanical properties. Specifically, you will investigate mixing order, mixing speeds, drying temperatures, and component fractions that lead to low impedance and good mechanical properties and fast drying speeds.
What You Will Do:
- Produce battery slurries through different orders of mixing and evaluate the rheology.
- Establish experiments to provide additional understanding of the rheological differences.
- Assess the impact of different mixing speeds.
- Cast electrodes and test in coin cells.
- Assess power performance and cycle life.
- Conduct post-mortem analysis to determine degradation modes.
- Review literature and identify opportunities to apply state-of-the-art techniques to applied problems.
- Conceive and execute research that is novel and can lead to high impact
- Work as part of a team to execute projects
- Interface with research stakeholders from industry and national laboratory
- Bring research to fruition, resulting in presentations at meetings, publications in journals, or patents.
What is Required:
- A recent Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience conducting and interpreting electrochemical techniques.
- Excellent hands-on research skills and mechanical aptitude.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
- Willingness to take ownership of all experimental aspects of a project.
- Ability to work as an independent researcher with a high level of scientific judgment and initiative, as well as to collaborate with other researchers in a diverse team.
What We Prefer:
- Experience with Li-ion battery research.
- Electrochemical systems modeling.
- Experience in electrode fabrication.
- Experience with different cathode materials.
Required Application Materials:
The following materials must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position.
- Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.
The posting shall remain open until the position is filled, however for full consideration, please apply by close of business on July 7, 2020.
Notes:
- This is a full time, M-F, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 1 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 4 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
- This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
- Salary will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
- This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
- Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
Learn About Us:
Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
Berkeley Lab’s Postdoc Program is committed to providing Postdoctoral Researchers and Visiting scholars with a positive and impactful experience to jump-start their career through premium research and career development, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and a strong community. For more information, please visit our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Resources site and our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association site.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Berkeley Lab is in compliance with the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4. Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups presently considering scientific research careers.