Postdoctoral Research Associate - Chemistry

Brookhaven National Laboratory; Northern, New York (KY, NY); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to characterize metal, oxide, and oxide/metal surfaces with STM. This role supports catalyst characterization and mechanistic studies in C1 chemistry, using both UHV and ambient-pressure STM systems.

IR spectroscopy and AP–XPS will complement surface chemistry investigations at lab and synchrotron facilities. The position is an initial 2-year term with renewal contingent on performance and funding.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering or physics or related fields.
• Extensive STM experience and surface science expertise.
• Commitment to safety, ethics, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Characterize well-defined metal, oxide and oxide/metal surfaces using STM.
• Support catalyst characterization and mechanistic studies in C1 chemistry.
• Work with variable-temperature UHV STM and ambient-pressure STM setups.
• Study surface chemistry of C1 processes using IR spectroscopy and AP-XPS.

Skills

STM experience

Surface science

Safety culture

Education

PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering or physics or related fields

Tools

XPS spectroscopy

Synchrotron facilities experience

Job description

Position Overview

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will perform the characterization of well-defined metal, oxide and oxide/metal surfaces using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The studies will be an essential part in a project aimed at catalyst characterization and mechanistic studies linked to C1 chemistry {CO2 hydrogenation and methane activation and conversion} on model catalysts that is funded by the US Department of Energy. The studies will be carried out using a combination of a variable temperature ultra-high vacuum STM and a STM which can be operated under moderate pressures (up to 100 Torr) and temperatures. Parallel to the STM studies, we will be investigating the surface chemistry of C1 processes using infrared spectroscopy and ambient-pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (in lab and synchrotron based).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering or physics or related fields.
• Extensive experience in the use of different types of scanning tunneling microscopes and their use in surface science.
• Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge in the use of spectroscopy techniques such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-stay absorption spectroscopy.
• Experience doing research at synchrotron facilities.

Additional Information

Initial 2-year term appointment subject to renewal contingent on performance and funding. Candidates must have completed all degree requirements by the commencement of employment. BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in and R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.

Compensation and Requirements

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $82,000–$85,000 per year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group. Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program. Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews. As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.

About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Legal Information

*VEVRAA Federal Contractor BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file