Postdoctoral Appointee - Discovery Chemistry & Functional Materials, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible work arrangements

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a high-caliber Postdoctoral Appointee to lead synthesis and characterization for next-gen materials. You will design, synthesize and analyze organic, organometallic, and polymer targets, and collaborate across teams to translate discoveries into scalable technologies.

The role emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, advanced analytical techniques, and leadership in a fast-paced research environment with on-site work in California.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• Hands-on molecular synthesis experience including air-free techniques.
• Proficiency in structural confirmation methods (NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MS, TGA/DSC).
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-step design, synthesis, and purification of organic/organometallic targets.
• Map structure-activity trends to guide iterative molecular optimization.
• Utilize analytical tools (NMR, HRMS, UV-Vis, XRD, DSC/TGA, FT-IR) for validation.
• Collaborate across disciplines to translate hits into scalable systems.
• Establish and refine standardized protocols and screening workflows.
• Communicate milestones via manuscripts and conferences.
• Work onsite due to project requirements.

Skills

Molecular design

Air-free synthesis

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Scientific leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry/Materials Science/Chemical Engineering

Tools

NMR

HRMS

UV-Vis

XRD

DSC/TGA

FT-IR

Job description

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Postdoctoral Appointee - Discovery Chemistry & Functional Materials, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide

Extraordinary co-workers

Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world

Career advancement and enrichment opportunities

Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)

Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a high-caliber, innovative POSTDOCTORAL APPOINTEE to join an interdisciplinary team pioneering the discovery of novel small molecules, polymers, and functional architectures. In this role, you will lead the synthetic and characterization strategy for next-generation critical material capture and advanced organic electronic systems.

This position sits at the intersection of target-focused molecular design, synthetic execution, and structure-property optimization. It is an exceptional opportunity for a scientist looking to bridge fundamental chemical innovation with real-world application, working across multi-institutional partnerships to transition discovery-stage chemistry into scalable technology.

As a key contributor to a multi-institutional research effort, you will participate in the following activities:

Molecular Design & Synthetic Execution: Spearhead the multi-step design, synthesis, and purification of novel organic, organometallic, and polymeric targets; apply cutting-edge synthetic methodologies and air-free techniques

Structure-Property Relationships (SPR): Systematically map structure-activity/property trends (e.g., electronic tuning, photophysical behavior, degradation kinetics, sorption affinity) to guide iterative molecular optimization.

Advanced Characterization & Analytics: Utilize a comprehensive suite of analytical tools (1D/2D NMR, HRMS, UV-Vis, XRD, DSC/TGA, FT-IR) to establish structural proof, purity, and thermal/mechanistic stability profiles.

Cross-Functional & Translational Impact: Collaborate tightly with materials scientists, characterization specialists, and chemical engineers to evaluate target performance and translate milligram-scale hits into scalable, robust systems.

Process & Assay Development: Establish and refine standardized experimental protocols, assay workflows, and stability screening methodologies.

Scientific Leadership: Communicate technical milestones across multi-institutional leadership, author peer-reviewed manuscripts, and present discoveries at national/international conferences.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Qualifications We Require:

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

Hands-on Molecular Synthesis Skills: Practical experience in organic, organometallic, or macromolecular synthesis, including standard air-free/Schlenk-line or glovebox techniques.

Characterization Fundamentals: Proficiency in routine methods for structural confirmation and purity analysis (e.g., NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, Mass Spectrometry, or thermal analysis like TGA/DSC).

Research Productivity: A track record of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the ability to drive a research project through to completion.

Qualifications We Desire:

Collaborative Mindset: Strong interest in working across disciplines to connect synthetic chemistry with material performance and engineering targets.

Experience with gas/vapor sorption systems (e.g., BET, volumetric/gravimetric gas physisorption) and macromolecular/polymer synthesis.

Understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals (e.g., mass transfer, thermal transport, scale-up dynamics, or process safety).

Exposure to computational chemistry, molecular modeling, or automated/high-throughput computational (or experimental) screening methods.

Demonstrated leadership in mentoring graduate/undergraduate researchers and/or managing laboratory safety/equipment workflows.

About Our Team:

The Materials Chemistry Department is a group of Chemists, Material Scientists, and Chemical Engineers who actively supports the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile by providing materials expertise to SNL's non-nuclear components. We use our understanding of chemical properties to design, evaluate and exploit monomers, polymers and functional materials. Our core competencies span foams, composites, adhesives, plastics, surface finishing and electrochemical deposition. We have the facilities for materials characterization, design prototyping and WR processing.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Position Information:

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

• Close proximity to first-tier universities, Silicon Valley companies, and other top research laboratories and facilities
• Access to California’s finest public and private schools
• At Sandia, recruiters manually review resumes on each job posting instead of using a resume screening software program
• By following the best practices outlined, this ensures that recruiters can accurately determine your qualifications for the position