Postdoctoral Appointee: Nuclear Materials Science and Engineering

argonne; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory's Nuclear Science and Engineering Division invites a Postdoctoral Appointee to research metallic materials for extreme environments in nuclear energy systems. The role focuses on processing–microstructure–property relationships for additively and conventionally manufactured structural alloys, with irradiation and corrosion studies, microscopy, and AI-assisted analysis.

Applicants should hold a PhD in materials science/engineering or a related field and have strong

Qualifications

• PhD in materials science/engineering or nuclear engineering or related field.
• Experience with metallic alloy development and microstructure-sensitive materials behavior.
• Experience studying irradiation damage and in‑situ ion irradiation experiments.
• Experience with corrosion effects on materials for nuclear systems.
• Experience with advanced characterization techniques: SEM, TEM, EBSD, XRD.
• Experience preparing specimens using electropolishing, flash polishing, and FIB.
• Experience applying computer vision or machine-learning to microscopy data.
• Ability to analyze microstructural data and relate results to processing and performance.
• Strong experimental, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and uphold Argonne core values.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in‑situ and ex‑situ irradiation, corrosion and environmental testing, nano‑indentation, and electron microscopy.
• Publish results in peer‑reviewed journals and present at meetings, conferences, and seminars.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written & oral communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Education

PhD in materials science/engineering or related field

Tools

SEM

TEM

EBSD

XRD

Focused ion beam (FIB)

Electropolishing

Flash polishing

Job description

The Nuclear Science and Engineering Division at Argonne National Laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee to conduct R&D on metallic materials for extreme environments relevant to nuclear energy systems. The Postdoctoral Appointee will contribute to the development, manufacturing, characterization, and evaluation of additively and conventionally manufactured structural alloys. The position will emphasize processing–microstructure–property-performance relationships under temperature, irradiation, corrosion, mechanical stress conditions.

The successful candidate will integrate additive manufacturing, ion irradiation, corrosion studies, advanced microscopy, and artificial-intelligence-enabled microstructural analysis to support the development and qualification of next‑generation structural materials. Research activities may include in‑situ and ex‑situ ion irradiation, corrosion and environmental testing, nano‑indentation, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, focused ion beam specimen preparation, and computer vision or machine‑learning analysis of microscopy datasets. The position requires strong experimental, analytical, written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Major Action and Supporting Actions

• Conducts experimental programs in in‑situ and ex‑situ ion irradiation, corrosion and environmental testing, nano‑indentation, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, focused ion beam specimen preparation, and computer vision or machine‑learning analysis of microscopy datasets.
• Presenting and reporting research results, publishes results in peer‑reviewed journals and presenting at meetings, conferences, symposia, and seminars.

Position Requirements

• A formal education in materials science and engineering, nuclear engineering, or a related field at the PhD level with zero to five years of employment experience.
• Knowledge of metallic alloy development, additive manufacturing, and/or microstructure‑sensitive materials behavior.
• Experience studying irradiation damage, including conducting or supporting in‑situ ion irradiation experiments with active load control and interpreting the resulting microstructural evolution.
• Experience studying corrosion effects on materials relevant to nuclear systems.
• Experience with advanced materials characterization techniques, such as SEM, TEM, EBSD, XRD, and related methods.
• Experience preparing specimens using techniques and tools such as electropolishing, flash polishing, and focused ion beam methods.
• Experience applying computer vision, image analysis, and/or machine‑learning methods to microscopy or materials characterization data.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze microstructural data and relate characterization results to materials processing and performance.
• Demonstrated experience designing and performing experiments, operating and maintaining research equipment, compiling and evaluating data, and reporting technical results.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and model Argonne’s Core Values of Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full timeThe 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.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case‑by‑case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.