Berkeley Lab's Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division (ESDR) is looking for a Electrochemical Engineering Postdoctoral Fellow to join their Energy Conversion Group!

In this role, you will simulate mathematically the behavior of electrolyzers, polymer-electrolyte fuel cells (hydroxide and proton), hydrogen electrochemical compressors, CO2 reduction concepts and devices, and/or other related electrochemical devices and their components under both steady state and transient operation. This research will entail model validation, collaboration with industrial and research partners, and verifying and explaining predicted trends seen in experimental data. The model should identify critical barriers and provide mitigation strategies to enable performance optimization and durability mitigation. In addition to cell level modeling, particular emphasis will be on understanding transport and material properties including structure and chemical/mechanical interplay in specific components such as the ion-conducting membrane and multiphase catalyst layer at multiple scales.

What You Will Do:

• Develop and refine mathematical models to examine multidimensional, multiphysics, transport within an electrochemical reactor including its various constitutive layers (e.g., porous transport layers, membrane, and catalyst layers).

• Analyze the results to examine limiting factors in performance as well as identify areas of deficiency in the model and propose new mathematical constructs to deal with them.

• Examine microstructural simulations of transient phenomena within single components.

• Validate model activities and comparison of simulation to experimental data for both input parameters and output results.

• Publish original research in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to scientific publications, present research through talks and posters at conferences, workshops, and multi-investigator meetings.

• Work on meeting milestones and reporting them to DOE.

• Collaborate and work with a team of researchers from diverse backgrounds, and interface with research teams from across industry, academia, and national laboratories.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics or a closely related field.

• Experience with mathematical modeling (i.e., continuum modeling) including in the application of transport phenomena in electrolyzers, fuel cells, or related devices and at various scales.

• Familiarity with high performance computing and code development and use.

• Knowledge of electrochemistry and fuel-cell related diagnostic methods and materials including hydrogen and CO2 reduction technologies.

• Knowledge of constitutive relations and continuum theories

• Ability to work as an independent researcher and as a member of a diverse research team, collaborating toward goals, solving problems, and developing scientific ideas.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to author technical and/or scientific writing and present work in conference and review meetings

What We Prefer:

• Experience with electrochemistry, transport phenomena and polymer physics.

• Significant demonstrated experience with finite-element methods and Comsol.

• Familiarity with machine learning and associated big data techniques.

For full consideration, please apply with the following application materials:

• Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.

Notes:

• This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 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.

• Salaries for postdoctoral positions depend on years of experience post-degree and are predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.

• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

• This position may be 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 will be performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Learn About Us:

Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world's most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab's scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

The Energy Storage and Distributed Resources Division (ESDR) works on developing advanced batteries and fuel cells for transportation and stationary energy storage, grid-connected technologies for a cleaner, more reliable, resilient, and cost-effective future, and demand-responsive and distributed energy technologies for a dynamic electric grid.

Berkeley Lab's Postdoc Program is committed to providing Postdoctoral Researchers and Visiting scholars with a positive and impactful experience to jump-start their career through premium research and career development, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and a strong community. For more information, please visit our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Resources site and our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association site.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to hire individuals who share these same values and commitments.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."