Postdoctoral Appointee – High Temperature Electrochemistry

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, USA

Job posting number: #7205790 (Ref:417058)

Posted: January 10, 2024

Job Description

The Chemical and Fuel Cycle Technologies division is seeking Postdoctoral Appointees to join a multidisciplinary team developing molten salt-based electrochemical processes geared towards applications including decarbonized chemical production, electrometallurgy, and advanced nuclear systems. Under the guidance of a supervisor, the postdoctoral appointee will develop fundamental understanding of electrochemical reactions in molten salts and apply insights to process development and scale up. Project activities assigned to postdoctoral researchers may include understanding the electrochemical behavior of transition metal ions in molten salts used to decarbonize metal production, developing innovative processes and technologies for recycling actinides to support sustainable fuel cycles, and applying electrochemical engineering principles to control and improve product morphology, product quality, and process efficiency at engineering scale.

With guidance, the appointee will:

  • Perform innovative experiments and electroanalytical measurements to advance the technical understanding and application of molten salt chemistry.

  • Develop novel process monitoring and control technologies applicable to molten salt systems.

  • Develop and test new materials and cell configurations.

  • Perform experiments to understand and quantify reaction pathways and kinetics for molten salt chemical systems.

  • Communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, and Laboratory management through status updates, technical research reports, project presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and other regular channels.

  • Develop technical ideas and proposals to advance the application of molten salts to chemical and electrochemical processes.

Position Requirements

  • Demonstrated knowledge of fundamental thermodynamics and kinetics through past publications or presentations.

  • Skill in devising and performing experiments to acquire identified data, using and maintaining research equipment, compiling, evaluating, and reporting test results.

  • Knowledge of general principles and technologies associated with chemical and material processing.

  • Experience in electrochemistry or electrochemical engineering.

  • Experience working safely with hazardous materials using engineering controls such as gloveboxes is desired.

  • Knowledge of the use of computers to design and control experiments and to analyze and interpret experimental data is required.

  • Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

  • Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

  • To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract.

This level of knowledge is typically achieved through a formal education in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, nuclear engineering, or related field at the PhD degree level with zero to three years of experience or equivalent in the scientific application of this knowledge and practical laboratory experience.

Job Family

Postdoctoral Family

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other 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.



Argonne is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity in our workforce. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne prohibits discrimination or harassment based on an individual's age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.


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