Requisition Id 11774 

Overview: 

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to engage in the development of a research program using single-crystal neutron diffraction to examine the behavior of hydrogen atoms in dense solid-state systems under pressure. By conducting in situ measurements under extreme pressures, local atomic environments can be directly tuned and the response of hydrogen atoms, including phenomena such as quantum tunneling and molecular dissociation, can be quantitatively observed. The output of these studies will have broad impact for diverse fields ranging from superconductivity to planetary science. To achieve this goal, the unique sensitivity of neutron scattering to locate hydrogen atoms will be harnessed via a combination of state-of-the-art experimental techniques and specially developed software. The specific focus on single-crystal techniques will enable high-precision measurements of complex crystallographic systems and important isotopic effects through hydrogen-deuterium substitution.

In this position, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary internationally recognized team of scientists with expertise in neutron science, high-pressure experimental techniques, data analysis and designing complex sample-environments. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the High-Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) are world-leading facilities and the scientific center of a diverse, international, and inclusive neutron scattering community.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:  

• Drive a vibrant scientific program on the understanding of pressure effects on hydrogen and hydrogen-rich systems.
• Develop software enabling the extraction of quantitative crystallographic information from experimental neutron diffraction measurements from samples inside diamond anvil cells. 
• Develop experimental techniques to prepare single-crystal samples in diamond anvil cells, including loading pre-prepared samples that are solid at ambient conditions and in situ growth of single crystals of high-pressure phases (including pure hydrogen and deuterium). 
• Prepare proposals to access neutron resources/instruments available at ORNL and use these to conduct high-quality research to achieve the scientific goals of the project.
• Publish scientific results in peer-reviewed literature and present these at scientific meetings.  
• Become expert in the use of specialized neutron diamond-anvil cells that have been developed in house at ORNL.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• A sound working knowledge of crystallography, with an emphasis on single-crystal approaches. Experience with neutrons is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience of experimental approaches to high-pressure diffraction measurements.
• A strong working knowledge of scientific computing, preferably including experience of the Python language.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and willingness to participate as an active team member.
• Will be motivated and results oriented 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.

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.

Please include a discussion of your research interests and how neutron scattering can support your plan for research during your time at ORNL in your cover letter with your application.

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

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 for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, 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.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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.