Career Center

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Energy Geosciences Division has an opening for a Minerals/Materials Data Science Postdoctoral Scholar to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will join the Minerals for Energy Storage Synthesis (MINES) program of the Lithium Resource Research and Innovation Center (LiRRIC). MINES postdocs collaborate across disciplines to enable revolutionary advances in battery materials development from natural mineral resources for the Department of Energy Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences program.

The Challenge: Discover and synthesize novel earth-abundant battery materials from abundant mineral precursors.

As a MINES Data Science Postdoc, you will be a part of a multidisciplinary team composed of researchers whose expertise spans Materials Science, Chemistry, Geochemistry, Electrochemistry, X-ray and Electron Physics, Nuclear Science and Engineering, Mineralogy, and Data Science working together to develop fundamental science needed to enable next-generation battery synthesis pathways. Team members use the Materials Project (MP) database, deep learning (DL) approaches for materials property prediction and simulation, automated minerals/materials synthesis and characterization enabled by machine learning (ML), high performance computers at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), and/or nanoscience facilities including the Molecular Foundry (MF) and Advanced Light Source (ALS) to conduct cutting edge basic science. This team has a track record of world class scientific productivity and career development for academia and AI, battery, and resource industries.

The multidisciplinary MINES program led by Michael Whittaker, Gerbrand Ceder, Mark Asta, and Raluca Scarlat, will establish fundamental science for the synthesis of battery materials from natural resources, enabling a new 'separation-by-synthesis' paradigm for energy storage manufacturing. This novel approach to battery material synthesis reactions will bypass nearly all the purification steps that contribute to the current carbon footprint of conventional battery cathode manufacturing. Our interdisciplinary expertise and existing collaborative partnerships are amplified by clearly defined and highly motivating scientific outcomes, resulting in rapid and influential progress towards material- and energy-efficient low-carbon manufacturing for energy storage.

What You Will Do:

• Predict, design, simulate, and/or characterize battery materials using inexpensive mineral precursors.
• Develop data-driven approaches to optimize battery material synthesis pathways from natural resources using automated experimental techniques.
• Disseminate results of research activities through refereed publications, reports, conference presentations, preprints, and code repositories.
• Participate in group meetings, seminars, and conferences both virtually and in person.
• Produce reproducible results through digital documentation and open-source dissemination.
• Maintain a robust and inclusive safety culture.

What is Required:

• Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Geoscience, Computational Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or other related fields.
• Demonstrated research experience and knowledge in area of expertise.
• Demonstrably effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work productively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Publication record commensurate with experience.
• Published open source software projects commensurate with experience.
• Experience automating experiments.
• Experience building and training ML/DL models with frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn.
• Experience contributing to or using quantum chemical databases, such as MP.
• Experience with ML/DL on large scientific datasets.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, 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.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $4,636.00 - $5,831.00 and is expected to start at $4,871.00 or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.
• Salary for postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• 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 primarily performed on site 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 16 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

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.

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof that vaccination requirements have been met or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

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