Synthetic Nanomaterials Chemistry Postdoc

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and PTO

Onsite gyms

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop and discover new optical nanomaterials and hybrid systems, focusing on quantum dots and nanoplates, with access to advanced characterization tools and collaborative researchers.

The role includes publishing results in peer‑reviewed journals and presenting at conferences, while working in a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers and students in a dynamic, on-site research environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in inorganic, organic or materials chemistry within the last 5 years or soon to be completed.
• Strong background in chemical synthesis using air-sensitive handling techniques.
• Experience with nanocrystal synthesis, surface modification and characterization.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications and scientific communication.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Publish results in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Present findings at national and international meetings.
• Collaborate with PhD staff, postdocs and students across multiple disciplines.
• Contribute to development of new optical nanomaterials and hybrid systems.

Skills

Air-sensitive synthesis

Nanocrystal synthesis

Organic/organometallic synthesis

Strong publication record

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in inorganic/organic/materials chemistry

Tools

TEM

Dip-pen nanolithography

Spectroscopic tools

Thin-film preparation tools

Job description

What You Will Do

A position is available (starting immediately) for a highly talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to engage in a multidisciplinary experimental/theoretical research environment with the goal of developing and discovering new optical nanomaterials, advancing chemical synthesis, and creating new hybrid materials with emergent functionality. A particular focus will be low-dimensional (0- and 2-D quantum dot and nanoplatelet) semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis, and the formation of hybrid materials via chemical coupling of these quantum light emitters to molecular species bearing unpaired spins. The postdoc would have available to them air-sensitive handling equipment, advanced spectroscopic tools for nanocrystal and molecular characterization (including single-particle characterization in the near-infrared), transmission electron microscopes, as well as a dip-pen nanolithography system, and thin-film preparation tools. The successful candidate will do this work in collaboration with a team of Ph.D. staff scientists, postdocs and students with expertise in the areas of single-nanostructure optical spectroscopy/imaging, theory/modeling, polymer chemistry, and electron microscopy. Postdoctoral appointees will publish results of this work in peer-reviewed journals, and will have the opportunity to present their findings at national and international meetings.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Strong chemical synthesis skills using air-sensitive handling techniques
• Nanocrystal synthesis, manipulation and surface modification
• Experience with organic/organometallic molecular synthesis and characterization
• A strong publication record
• Excellent communication and writing skills

Education

Ph.D. in inorganic, organic or materials chemistry or related field completed within the last 5 years or soon to be completed.

Desired Qualifications

• Nanosynthesis, in particular of semiconductor quantum dots
• Nanocrystal assembly
• Experience with multistep organic/organometallic synthesis and characterization (e.g. by NMR, mass spectrometry, EPR, FT-IR, etc)
• Optical and structural characterization techniques
• Planning and execution of complex, multistep reactions

Work Environment

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants

• Contact Eric Bowes ([e-mail]) directly about this position.
• At least 3 letters of recommendation are required.
• The appointment is for 2 years, with a possible extension for the 3rd year

Salary

Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $INSERT VALUE. For more information go to Postdoc Program website at https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php .

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2

Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Internal Applicants

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.

If you experience any technical issues, please email [e-mail] for assistance.