Postdoctoral Scholar

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Scholar to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will be responsible for helping the development and growing of an impactful research program in understanding and improving the thermal management and characterization of electrochemical batteries under different and extreme operating conditions.  These responsibilities will include the theoretical modeling of coupled electro-thermal energy systems as well as the design and implementation of laboratory experiments.

What You Will Do:

• Assist in the designing, building, and implementation thermal measurement techniques for application to batteries.  The metrology should enable the in-operando measurement of the thermal transport properties spatial map throughout the cross section of an operational battery with micron-scale spatial resolution.  The measurement should be immune to noise and thermal signals generated by the operation of the battery itself, and should not be invasive in such a way that might change the properties being measured.
• Assist in the designing, building, and implementation metrology to measure the thermal transport properties of isolated battery and related energy materials with nanometer scale spatial resolution.
• Support the PI to help develop accurate mathematical models of the thermal properties of the battery systems and the metrologies developed and write deployable code capable of data analysis and simulation of the thermal phenomena and of the metrologies and their experimental sensitivities.  Use this code to optimize the design of experiments and sample configurations for measurement sensitivity.
• Write regular reports on progress, publish journal papers in both fundamental science journals and applied technology journals and present at conferences.
• Collaborate with experimental and modeling teams across various divisions at LBNL.
• Participate in professional scientific activities, e.g., reviews of papers, research proposals, etc.
• Support and contribute to the development of research project ideas and proposals. Participate in relevant professional societies with relevance to the program and group activities. 

What is Required:

• Ph.D., in mechanical engineering, physics, materials science and engineering, within the last 3 years. Specialization in nano-scale thermal transport preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in modeling nano-to-macro-scale thermal transport phenomena, including coupled effects of photons, electrons, and phonons.  Both fundamental mathematical modeling and computational simulation skills are required.
• Hands-on experience in TDTR/FDTR.
• Experience with nanofabrication and characterization techniques including photolithography, thin film deposition, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Demonstrated experience with experimental and modeling work.
• Good verbal and written communication.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with synthesis of nanomaterials.
• Strong publication record in well-respected journals.

For Consideration, please apply by June 1, 2024 with the following application materials:

• Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

Notes:

• This is a full-time 2 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 3 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.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $5,374.00 / mo - $7,316.00 / mo and is expected to start at $6,626.00 / mo or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.
• 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.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

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