Postdoctoral Scientist—Advanced Battery Materials & Interfaces

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Materials Sciences Division invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Battery Materials & Electrochemical Energy Storage. The role focuses on processing battery materials, electrode fabrication, cell assembly, and testing to understand aging and performance.

You will synthesize active materials, fabricate electrodes, and perform galvanostatic cycling and other electrochemical tests, plus structural characterization with XRD, EM, XPS.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or closely related field.
• Hands-on experience synthesizing and/or processing battery materials (electrodes, electrolytes, or related composites).
• Practical experience assembling and testing electrochemical cells (e.g., coin cells) under inert-atmosphere conditions (glovebox operation).
• Working knowledge of electrochemical characterization techniques (galvanostatic cycling, impedance spectroscopy, rate/cycle life testing).
• Demonstrated experience in operando/in situ electrochemical characterization techniques for tracking phase transitions and SEI evolution.
• Familiarity with glovebox atmosphere management, including moisture/oxygen sensors maintenance, catalyst regeneration, hazardous waste disposal compliance.
• Experience with at least one structural or interfacial characterization technique (XRD/scattering, EM, or spectroscopy).
• Ability to design and execute independent experiments, analyze data critically, and troubleshoot unexpected results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including a record of peer-reviewed publication.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in experimental recordkeeping and data management.
• Ability to work safely with air- and moisture-sensitive materials, flammable solvents, and other lab hazards.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize and process battery active materials and electrode composites.
• Fabricate electrodes and assemble electrochemical cells under controlled environments.
• Conduct galvanostatic cycling, rate testing, impedance spectroscopy, and related tests.
• Characterize materials using XRD, EM, and spectroscopic methods.
• Archive and manage raw and processed data per lab policies.
• Plan experiments at synchrotron and other user facilities; write beamtime proposals.
• Analyze data to link processing, structure, and performance.
• Maintain accurate lab records and contribute to publications and meetings.
• Mentor students and contribute to grant proposals or reports.
• Collaborate with chemists, materials scientists, and engineers on shared goals.

Skills

Battery materials synthesis

Electrode fabrication

Electrochemical testing

Inert-atmosphere handling

X-ray diffraction

Electron microscopy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Synchrotron experience

Mentoring

Data management

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Tools

X-ray diffraction/scattering

Electron microscopy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

Synchrotron beamline experience

Job description

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Materials Sciences Division invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Battery Materials & Electrochemical Energy Storage. The role focuses on processing battery materials, electrode fabrication, cell assembly, and testing to understand aging and performance.

You will synthesize active materials, fabricate electrodes, and perform galvanostatic cycling and other electrochemical tests, plus structural characterization with XRD, EM, XPS.