Overview
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Institute for Integrated Catalysis (IIC) represent scientific and engineering leadership in catalysis research for the nation and world, serving a wide variety of federal and commercial clients. PNNL’s Advanced Energy Systems Group has an opening for a Post-Doctorate position supporting engine exhaust aftertreatment heterogeneous catalyst development.
Our expert staff provide multi-disciplinary solutions to complex energy and environmental issues. Key capabilities include engineering (chemical and mechanical), chemistry, surface science, and materials science. We employ a systems perspective that includes, discovery technology development and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization. EP&MD focuses on three mission contributions: Clean Fossil Energy, Electricity Infrastructure, & Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Responsibilities
This focus of this position is on engine exhaust aftertreatment, with areas of research including NOx reduction and CO & hydrocarbon oxidation. These efforts seek to identify and mitigate or circumvent existing barriers to highly efficient and cost effective aftertreatment catalysis. Systems studied will include new and emerging zeolite-based catalyst and metal oxide catalysts with a focus on the chemistry and behavior of active metal sites and their interactions with the metal oxide and zeolite surfaces. The successful candidate will work with project teams to perform catalyst evaluations, pursue structural & functional understandings of the catalysts using a suite of state-of- the-art instruments and collaborate with staff performing the corresponding computational chemistry. The candidate will lead the gathering of characterization and performance testing results from various sources, including but not limited to bench-scale testing, spectroscopy and microscopy characterization, and textural properties analyses. The candidate will also participate in the detailed analysis of these results towards a deeper understanding of barriers that current and emerging catalyst systems face towards superior performance and durability, the presentation (internal and external to PNNL) of these results in clear and concise manners, and the publishing of these results in high-impact journals.
The successful candidate will also:
- Interact, communicate, and tackle problems with a diverse team of research staff
- Be able to take initiative and work independently when needed
- Lead manuscript development and maintain a strong publication record in the peer-reviewed scientific literature
- Present research at conferences and project review meetings
- Participate in the development of research proposals
- Train and mentor other junior staff, as necessary
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field with a strong record of publications.
- Experience in nanomaterial synthesis, characterization using spectroscopic techniques, and reaction kinetics measurements to unravel elementary details of catalytic reactions mechanisms.
- Experience with spectroscopic tools (e.g., FTIR, NMR) for the characterization of catalytic materials.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills are required. This includes a strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
Not Applicable.
Additional Information
Not Applicable.
About PNNL
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity
Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
Drug Free Workplace
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
Mandatory Requirements
Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.
Rockstar Rewards
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**Once eligibility requirements are met.
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