full time postdoctoral position is
immediately available in the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL),
Energy Sciences Directorate. The National
Renewable Energy Laboratory located at the
foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden,
Colorado is the nation’s primary laboratory
for research, development and deployment of
renewable energy and energy efficiency
technologies. The postdoctoral researcher
will support development of thin-film based
electronic materials and electrochemical
devices. The assignment is for one year with
possible renewal for up to three years.
Job Duties
The NREL Materials and Computational
Science Center performs focused research
and development of new materials and
technologies. The postdoctoral researcher
will assist a dedicated staff to develop novel
energy related devices using thin-films and
other processes. Specific work will include
performing:
- Deposition of thin film structures using an
array of techniques
- e.g. e-beam, sputtering, thermal
evaporation, chemical vapor and chemical
- Scanning Electron Microscopy, Tunneling
Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive
Spectroscopy
- Analysis to characterize the electronic
and/or electrochemical properties of
materials/devices
- Vacuum and test system assembly and
operation
- Programming to automate processes
- Literature reviews to develop appropriate
research direction
- Maintenance/optimization of scientific
equipment
- Collaborative R&D with other group
scientists.
In addition, the postdoctoral researcher is
expected to provide input for reports,
publish results in peer-reviewed scientific
journals, and present their work at scientific
conferences.
Required Education and Experience
Must be a recent Ph.D. graduate with in the last
three years.
Additional Basic Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Recently completed PhD degree in materials,
chemistry, physics, or a related field, with
demonstrated laboratory experimentation,
vacuum processing/deposition,
electrochemistry, and analytical techniques
experience. The most important
qualifications include:
- Demonstrated thin-film deposition
capabilities with direct experience in the
formation and characterization of thin-film
devices
- Demonstrated SEM/TEM/EDS experience
and skills
- Ability or desire to learn other processing
and analytical techniques
- Outstanding academic and experimental
skills to perform high quality research
- A self-starter that can perform
independent research at a high level with just
a small amount of oversight and guidance.
However, the candidate must be able to work
closely with several people in a team
arrangement to maximize results
- A demonstrated capability to write high
quality scientific journal papers
- Excellent written and oral communication
skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous work experience with thin-film
deposition, chemical vapor deposition,
atomic ayer deposition, vacuum systems,
nanomaterials, etc.
- Previous work experience with appropriate
characterization techniques
- Demonstrated electrochemical, fuel cell, or
equivalent experience
