Postdoctoral Research Associate- Solid-state NMR Spectroscopy

Requisition Id14517

Overview:

The Carbon and Composites Group in the Separations and Polymer chemistry section of the Chemical Sciences Division under the Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate specializing in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

This position provides an exciting opportunity to work in a world-class research environment focused on the characterization of carbon-based and composite materials through advanced NMR techniques.The successful candidate will contribute to projects at the forefront of materials science, exploring the properties and performance of innovative materials for energy applications and sustainable technologies.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will engage in a variety of research activities, including but not limited to:

Experimentation & Method Development:

• Design and implementation of advanced solid-state NMR protocols to investigate the molecular structure and dynamics including pulse program implementation.
• Conduct and refine experiments using high-resolution NMR spectrometers and ensure the quality and reliability of data acquisition.
• Implement NMR based techniques

Materials Characterization & Analysis:

• Apply NMR techniques to characterize physical and chemical properties, focusing on carbon structure, porosity, functionalization, and other material attributes critical to application performance.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, employing a thorough understanding of NMR principles to generate meaningful insights into materials properties.

Innovation & Collaboration:

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate NMR findings with complementary techniques (e.g., X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, neutron scattering, rheology) to advance materials characterization.
• Engage with scientists across divisions to support ORNL's mission of innovation in energy materials and sustainable technologies.

Communication & Reporting:

• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences.
• Contribute to a safe and productive research environment, upholding ORNL's commitment to environmental, safety, health, and quality standards.
• Prepare procedural documentation on techniques developed and used.

Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in chemistry, materials science, physics, or a related field or a related field completed within the last 5 years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong record of innovative research, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
• Familiarity with advanced NMR techniques including magic-angle spinning (MAS), pulse sequence design and implementation, multidimensional experiments
• Experience with dynamics-based NMR techniques such as relaxometry, exchange experiments, and diffusion experiments.
• Experience in characterizing carbon-based materials, polymers, or composites.
• Knowledge of additional characterization techniques, such as FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, or thermogravimetric analysis, is a plus.
• Experience with Python or comparable software for data analysis, automation, or NMR data visualization, alongside proficiency with NMR software tools (e.g., TopSpin, MestReNova).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:

Postdocs:

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Letters of Recommendation:

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.