Postdoctoral Fellow (Thermal Science Group)

Berkeley Lab - California - Berkeley Lab's Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division (ESDR) is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join their Thermal Science Group! Thermal Energy Storage (TES) in buildings can play an important role in improving efficiency and resiliency of the grid by reducing and time shifting the load. Salt hydrates are one class of TES materials that as thermochemical materials (TCMs) undergo a reversible solid-gas chemical reaction. Salt hydrate TCMs (comprising a reactive pair of inorganic salt and water vapor) have higher theoretical energy densities of ~600 kWh/m3 and negligible self-discharge as energy is stored in chemical bonds, making them uniquely suited as compact, stand-alone solutions for daily-seasonal energy storage in buildings. Although promising, the available research shows TCM based storage suffers from instabilities both at the material and reactor level resulting in poor multi-cycling efficiency. In this role, you aim to systematically investigate TCMs to overcome these challenges by developing new design rules at both the material and reactor level. What You Will Do: Use characterization techniques including TGA-DSC, DSC, XRD, XPS, and FTIR to characterize the existing and new (salt hydrates) materials. Use X-Ray and electron microscopy techniques to investigate the morphology of the salt hydrates and its composites and establish structure-property relationship. Perform thermal and mechanical characterization of the salt hydrates and its composites to understand the effect of various parameters on its performance. Design and construct lab-scale TCM based reactors and conduct experiments to understand long-term stability of the reactor. Analyze experimental data including applying computer analysis and simulation programs to interpret experimental data. Collaborate in the development of research proposals and new scientific initiatives. Prepare manuscripts, reports and presentations. Carry out collaborative research with research associates, post-doctoral fellows, visiting scientists, and students with regular meetings and discussions. What is Required: A recent Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related field with a strong emphasis on materials synthesis, material characterization, and device fabrication. In depth understanding of structure-property relationship of salt hydrates that possess the required properties to be used for thermal energy storage. Must have experience with spectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques. Demonstrated skills in laboratory chemistry, such as synthetic chemistry, inorganic chemistry or related fields. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work independently using a high level of scientific judgment and initiative while participating in collaborative efforts as a member of a diverse research team. What We Prefer: Hands-on experience on using salt hydrates as thermal energy storage materials. For full consideration, please apply by close of business on November 17, 2020 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: (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 ( ) 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. is a science-to-systems lab conducting research in manipulating matter at nanoscale dimensions for novel applications in a multitude of thermal, solar, and electrochemical energy devices and systems. We combine theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques to understand energy conversion, storage, and transport. Through our research we strive to engineer phonon and photon transport for efficient energy conversion, manipulate entropy and enthalpy for thermochemical energy storage, as well as engineer interfaces for thermal and mechanical behavior in electrochemical devices. 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 site and our site. Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability 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 to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."... - Permanent - Full-time

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