Automation Materials Chemist - Postdoctoral Researcher

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance

Education Reimbursement Program

Flexible schedules

401(k)

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) seeks postdoctoral researchers to develop and automate high-throughput platforms for monitoring metal degradation across chemical environments. You will collaborate with chemists, materials scientists, engineers, and automation specialists to build integrated systems within the Materials for Energy and Climate Security group.

The role offers a hybrid schedule with possible work-from-home days after a probationary period, and requires publishing

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Corrosion Science, or a related field.
• Experience with programming for data analysis, instrument control, automation, or visualization.
• Experience integrating laboratory instruments, sensors, robotics, fluidics, or automated sample-handling systems.
• Experience with electrochemical characterization of metals, coatings, polymers, or related materials.
• Knowledge of metal degradation, corrosion mechanisms, electrochemical aging, or materials durability.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Develop automated, high-throughput platforms and workflows for degradation monitoring and materials evaluation.
• Design and execute electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and analytical experiments to characterize metal degradation.
• Develop measurement protocols for effects of environments on degradation mechanisms.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate electrochemical, Raman, fluid-handling, robotic, and data-acquisition systems.
• Define system requirements, testing workflows, and interfaces for new automated platforms.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Programming

Automation

Data analysis

Instrument control

Electrochemistry

Material degradation

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Corrosion Science, or related field

Tools

Laboratory instruments

Robotics

Fluid-handling systems

Job description

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We are seeking Postdoctoral Researchers to conduct research in the automated, high-throughput monitoring and mitigation of metal degradation. You will develop and automate a high-throughput platform, integrating multi-modal electrochemical and spectroscopic methods, to evaluate degradation mechanisms across metals and chemical environments. You will work closely with chemists, materials scientists, electrical and mechanical engineers, and automation specialists to develop integrated experimental systems for high-throughput materials screening and degradation monitoring. These positions are in the Materials for Energy and Climate Security group within the Materials for Emerging Applications and Extreme Conditions section of the Materials Science Division in the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or moredays per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

You will

• Develop automated, high-throughput platforms and workflows for degradation monitoring and materials evaluation.
• Design and execute electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and complementary analytical experiments to characterize metal degradation, corrosion, and related electrochemical processes.
• Develop ex situ and operando measurement protocols to investigate the effects of chemical environments and reactive species on metal degradation mechanisms.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate electrochemical, Raman, fluid-handling, robotic, and data-acquisition systems.
• Define system requirements, testing workflows, and interfaces for newly developed automated platforms.
• Pursue independent but complementary research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Maintain laboratory protocols, equipment, and best safety practices.
• Document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). See Additional Information section below for details.
• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Corrosion Science, or a related field.
• Experience with programming for data analysis, instrument control, automation, or visualization.
• Experience integrating laboratory instruments, sensors, robotics, fluidics, or automated sample-handling systems.
• Experience with electrochemical characterization of metals, coatings, polymers, or related materials.
• Knowledge of metal degradation, corrosion mechanisms, electrochemical aging, or materials durability.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills as reflected in effectivepresentations at seminars, meetings and/or teaching lectures.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills with desire and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience designing, formulating, synthesizing, and characterizing polymer coatings and other protective materials for metals.
• Experience with operando or in situ characterization methods, including Raman spectroscopy, for chemical and structural materials characterization.
• Experience with statistical analysis, design of experiments, machine learning, or predictive modeling.
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Pay Range

$123,048 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

None required. However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities. The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position. To be qualified for this position, Candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under "Find Your Job" of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams:https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

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