Postdoctoral Scholar – Membrane Chemist

Berkeley Lab; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar – Membrane Chemist to advance recyclable polymer membranes for aqueous flow batteries. You will design and synthesize microporous membranes, study ion transport and stability, and develop methods to recover and regenerate materials across multiple cycles.

You will collaborate with DOE-funded partners and publish findings while contributing to national laboratory research.

Qualifications

• PhD awarded within last three years or to be completed before start date.
• Hands-on polymer chemistry: monomer synthesis and purification, step-growth polymerization, and structural characterization (NMR, FTIR, thermal analysis).
• Experience fabricating polymer films or membranes and measuring transport properties (impedance-based conductivity, permeability or crossover, swelling).
• Demonstrated ability to carry a research project from design through publication, evidenced by first-author papers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-institution team; clear written and oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize microporous polymer membranes to tune free volume and ion transport.
• Fabricate membranes with controlled thickness and swelling; measure ionic conductivity and related properties.
• Develop membrane deconstruction chemistry and recover monomers; re-manufacture membranes across cycles.
• Profile membranes across lifecycle using NMR, FTIR, thermal and mechanical analyses.
• Coordinate with PNNL collaborators on flow-cell validation and data analysis.
• Write manuscripts and invention disclosures; present at program reviews and DOE reporting.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Membrane fabrication

Ion transport measurement

NMR/FTIR analysis

Independent researcher

Education

Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field

Tools

NMR

FTIR

LC-MS

SAXS/WAXS

Job description

The Materials Sciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar – Membrane Chemist to advance next-generation recyclable membranes for aqueous flow batteries. Working on a DOE-funded project with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the selected researcher will design and synthesize novel polymer membranes, study their ion transport and stability, and develop methods to recover and regenerate membrane materials at the end of their useful lives. This is an opportunity for an emerging polymer scientist to lead experimental research at the intersection of sustainable materials, electrochemistry, and energy storage while contributing to scientific publications and collaborative national laboratory research.

You Will

• Design and synthesize microporous polymer membranes that vary in monomer identity, charge density, stoichiometry, and network topology to tune free volume, ion transport, and stability.
• Fabricate membranes with controlled thickness and swelling; measure ionic conductivity, area-specific resistance, permeability of redox-active species, water uptake, and mechanical integrity in electrolytes relevant to aqueous organic and earth-abundant inorganic flow batteries.
• Develop membrane deconstruction chemistry, quantifying monomer recovery yield and purity; re-manufacture membranes from recovered monomers and determine how well transport, mechanical, and electrochemical properties are retained over multiple recovery cycles.
• Profile membranes across their lifecycle (pristine, cycled, depolymerized, regenerated) by NMR, LC-MS, FTIR, thermal and mechanical analysis, and scattering or porosimetry; identify the chemical signatures, such as impurity accumulation and network damage, that link operating history to recovery outcomes.
• Run symmetric-cell and flow-cell measurements at LBNL as needed; coordinate with PNNL collaborators on full flow-cell validation, including membrane exchange, test planning, and shared data analysis.
• Analyze and interpret results; write manuscripts and invention disclosures; present at program reviews and scientific meetings; contribute to quarterly and annual reporting to DOE.

We Are Looking For

• Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field, awarded within the last three years or to be completed before the start date.
• Hands-on experience in synthetic polymer chemistry: monomer synthesis and purification, step-growth polymerization, and structural characterization (NMR, FTIR, thermal analysis).
• Experience fabricating polymer films or membranes and measuring their transport properties (e.g., impedance-based conductivity, permeability or crossover, swelling).
• Demonstrated ability to carry a research project from design through publication, evidenced by first-author papers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-institution team; clear written and oral communication.
• Ability to work safely in a chemistry laboratory, including handling solvents and reactive reagents in fume hoods and wearing required PPE; occasional travel to PNNL and to scientific meetings.

Desired Skills/knowledge

• Mentor graduate students and junior researchers working on related membrane and polymer recycling efforts.
• Contribute to group laboratory safety, shared instrument upkeep, and use of Molecular Foundry and Advanced Light Source user capabilities.
• Experience with flow batteries or other electrochemical cell assembly and testing.
• Background in chemically recyclable polymers, or depolymerization and monomer recovery.
• Experience with ion-exchange membranes or polymers of intrinsic microporosity.
• Familiarity with LC-MS, X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), or gas sorption for polymer and membrane characterization.

Additional Information

• Appointment type: This is a full-time 2-year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• Salary range: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes. The salary range for this position is $99,192 - $110,808. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at:Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here ).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

Benefits

We invest in our postdoctoral scholars by offering benefits and resources designed to support your well-being, professional growth, and life outside of work:

• Comprehensive health benefits , including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options available
• 24 days of Personal Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays
• Eight weeks of Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave for qualifying family and parental needs
• Opportunities to connect, network, and grow through the Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association , including social events, professional development, and scientific exchange
• A collaborative and inclusive culture where you can grow your research career and belong

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments.

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism.

In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.