Postdoctoral Appointee – Atomic Layer Deposition for Water Treatment

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the Functional Coatings Group within the Applied Materials Division to conduct advanced research in electrochemical processing and functional coatings. The role focuses on electrodeposition of hard-to-deposit materials and development of novel deposition methods.

The candidate will work on design, optimization, and material characterization, including XRD, XPS, AFM, and SEM-EDS, with results disseminated through

Qualifications

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Solid foundation in fundamental electrochemistry (kinetics, mass transport, interfacial phenomena, thermodynamics).
• Hands-on electrodeposition experience, focusing on hard-to-deposit materials or functional coatings.
• Proficiency with electrochemical characterization methods (CV, chronoamperometry/potentiometry, EIS).
• Familiarity with surface and bulk characterization techniques (XRD, XPS, AFM, SEM-EDS).
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and communicate results through publications/presentations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced research on electrochemical processing and functional coatings for electrodeposition of challenging materials.
• Develop novel deposition methods and control interfacial kinetics.
• Design, analyze, and interpret experiments; present findings to the scientific community.

Skills

Electrochemistry fundamentals

Electrochemical synthesis

Deposition parameter control

Interfacial phenomena

Education

PhD in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, physics

Tools

Cyclic Voltammetry

Chronoamperometry/Chronopotentiometry

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

XRD

XPS

AFM

SEM-EDS

Job description

Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the Functional Coatings Group in the Applied Materials Division at Argonne National Laboratory to conduct advanced research in electrochemical processing and functional coatings. The primary goal of this work is aimed at advancing material design and surface modification for the electrodeposition of hard-to-deposit materials. The focus is to develop novel electrochemical deposition methods, control interfacial reaction kinetics, and engineer functional coatings and thin films. Advanced process design and optimization, as well as material characterization will be pursued through various strategies. The candidate must possess a strong foundational understanding of fundamental electrochemistry and have hands-on experience in electrochemical synthesis, deposition parameter control, and advanced electrochemical techniques (e.g., voltammetry, potentiostatic/galvanostatic methods, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). Knowledge of thin-film and materials characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy is required. The successful candidate is also expected to aid in the design, analysis, and interpretation of experiments as well as present findings to the scientific community through publications and presentations.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon‑to‑be‑completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0‑5 years) in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Solid foundation and essential knowledge in fundamental electrochemistry (reaction kinetics, mass transport, interfacial phenomena, and thermodynamics).
• Hands-on experience in electrodeposition techniques, with a focus on hard-to-deposit materials, alloy plating, or challenging functional coatings.
• Proficiency in electrochemical characterization methods (e.g., Cyclic Voltammetry. Chronoamperometry/Chronopotentiometry,Electrochemical,Impedance Spectroscopy).
• Familiarity with surface and bulk characterization techniques (e.g., XRD, XPS, AFM, SEM-EDS).
• Demonstrated skills in working interactively and productively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with a proven record of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis.
• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
• This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.

Job Family and Employment Type

Job Family Postdoctoral Job Profile Postdoctoral Appointee Worker Type Long-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type Full time.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

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