Chemistry Automation & Advanced Manufacturing - Postdoctoral Researcher

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Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$118,884 Annually 

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher focused on high-throughput synthesis/formulation using the Chemspeed automation platform, including advanced manufacturing fabrication and characterization. You will help build automation workflows that couple design-make-test cycles with rigorous data analysis to identify optimal formulations, then transfer down-selected recipes into manufacturing workflows for processing and property evaluation. This position is in the Functional Materials Synthesis and Integration Group of the Materials for Emerging Applications & Extreme Conditions section in the Materials Science Division.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will 

• We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher focused on high-throughput synthesis/formulation using the Chemspeed automation platform, including advanced manufacturing fabrication and characterization. You will help build automation workflows that couple design-make-test cycles with rigorous data analysis to identify optimal formulations, then transfer down-selected recipes into manufacturing workflows for processing and property evaluation. This position is in the Functional Materials Synthesis and Integration Group of the Materials for Emerging Applications & Extreme Conditions section in the Materials Science Division.

• Develop high-throughput workflows for polymer and material synthesis, solution preparation, and formulation screening.

• Apply advanced manufacturing methods including additive manufacturing, spin/spray coating, solution casting, and electrospinning to produce test specimens and devices.

• Perform materials and polymer characterization using techniques such as GPC, mass spectrometry, DSC, TGA, rheometry, tensile/compression testing, and surface energy measurements.

• Analyze experimental results to establish processing–structure–property relationships.

• Document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at scientific conferences.

• Pursue independent but complementary research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.

• Collaborate with scientists in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field.
• Experience with organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and/or formulation processing, including designing and executing experimental plans, analyzing results, and optimizing protocols.
• Hands-on experience programming/operating chemistry automation platforms for synthesis and/or formulation.
• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing techniques, including additive manufacturing, spin/spray coating, solution casting, and/or electrospinning.
• Experience with materials characterization techniques such as NMR, GPC, DSC, TGA, tensile/compression testing, rheology, and surface energy analysis.
• Familiarity with experimental design, data management, and analysis for high-throughput studies.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience integrating automation platforms with data analysis, machine learning, or high-throughput experimentation.

• Prior work optimizing coating or manufacturing process parameters.

• Prior experience collaborating across chemistry, engineering, computer science, and materials science disciplines. 

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

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