Membrane Science and Engineering Post-master Student

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, invites exceptional Post Master students to join the Materials Synthesis and Integrated Devices (MPA-11) Group for membrane materials development and engineering.

You will work on polybenzimidazole and PBI-derived carbon molecule sieve hollow membranes with tailored gas transport characteristics, using diverse synthesis, characterization, and testing facilities within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Completion of BS in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline completed within the last 3 years.
• GPA of at least 3.2 is required.
• Demonstrated experience with membrane-based gas, liquid, and vapor separations processes.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Develop polybenzimidazole and PBI-derived carbon membrane with tailored gas transport properties.
• Synthesize, formulate and characterize membrane materials using wet chemistry and pyrolytic methods.
• Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary team to translate materials into applications.

Skills

Membrane separations

Publications/presentations

Communication

Teamwork

Project planning

Material synthesis

Hollow fiber fabrication

Materials characterization

Python

Matlab

Education

BS in Chemical/Mechanical Eng or related

Tools

DSC

TGA

DMA

FTIR

NMR

Job description

What You Will Do

Come join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of U.S national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world!!!

The Materials Synthesis and Integrated Devices (MPA-11) Group is seeking outstanding Post Master student to join a multi-disciplinary team with on-going research efforts in fundamental and applied membrane materials development and engineering.

Active areas of research include: air separations, H2 production, water purification, and critical materials separations (including isotopic separations); translation of novel membrane/sorbent chemistries to industrially relevant platforms (e.g., hollow fibers and thin films); separation system process design and techno-economic analysis; and prototype system design and construction.

We engage in all aspects of materials development from macromolecule synthesis, materials formulation and characterization to materials translation into application specific platforms/shapes. The specific focus of this position is the development of polybenzimidazole and PBI-derived carbon molecule sieve hollow membranes with tailored gas transport characteristics. We utilize a broad variety of synthetic/formulation methods including wet chemistry, pyrolytic methods, fiber spinning and gas separation characterization. Materials interrogation and characterization is conducted utilizing the vast resources available at LANL.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated experience with membrane-based gas, liquid, and vapor separations processes;
• A demonstrated record of technical excellence and innovative thinking as evidenced by publication and presentation records and letters of reference,
• Good communication skills (both oral and written),
• Ability to work effectively as a part of a team or independently in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Ability to plan and organize assignments and meet project deadlines

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with carbon or polymer material synthesis, processing and characterization including gas permeation evaluation;
• Demonstrated experience with hollow fiber membrane fabrication, module fabrication and performance evaluation in application relevant feed streams;
• Demonstrated experience with materials characterization techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, DMA, FTIR, and NMR);
• Familiarity with process modeling and simulation using programming softwares (e.g. Python®, Matlab®)

Education/Experience

• Completion of BS in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or other closely related discipline completed within the last 3 years. Cumulative GPA of at least a 3.2 is required

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

For additional information please contact Raj Singh at [e-mail].

Where You Will Work

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance:

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test:

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Internal Applicants:

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.

If you experience any technical issues, please email [e-mail] for assistance.