Postdoctoral Scientist Job

Postdoctoral Scientist – Battery Safety and Technology (12 month assignment)

Situation in organization
The position reports to a senior R&D scientist at the King of Prussia Research Center, and will work closely with scientists, chemists, and engineers within the Battery Research and Developmental team at Arkema. The contract term is 12 months.

Job dimensions
The scientist will support new battery process developments, electrode fabrication, cell building, and safety testing. He/she will be responsible for preparing formulations using anode and cathode active materials, and establishing process-performance relationships between new materials, electrode fabrication, and actual cells by using solvent-free novel processes to make high-energy lithium-ion batteries. Expected duties are carrying out formulation, processing and characterizing electrodes and films that achieve performance targets, building/testing battery cells, and planning/implementing battery safety testing protocols. The person will plan and safely conduct formulation, processing, and testing, perform data analysis, maintain a well-organized research notebook/database, and contribute to reports for internal/external distribution. 

Activities

• Contribute effectively to product development efforts that are focused on testing and optimizing new binders, separators, electrolytes, and conductive carbons in solvent-free processes suitable for high-energy lithium-ion batteries. 30%
• Develop, implement, and conduct formulation optimization, electrode fabrication, cell manufacturing, and safety testing methods that can predict how new components will perform in high energy battery systems. 30%
• Provide broad technical knowledge, serve as a technical, and cell expert that can apply fundamental knowledge to advance Arkema's project in development of new materials and solvent-free processes for high-energy batteries. 25%
• Work in multi-disciplinary team, interpret analytical data and prepare reports using materials characterization techniques including rheological techniques, SEM, ICP, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XPS, titration, chromatography, porosity, surface characterization, electrochemical techniques such as EIS, cyclic voltammetry, conductivity, and impedance measurements at different SOC. 15%
   

Context and environment
The position is part of a team working on developing new processes and materials suitable for fabricating next-generation high-energy batteries. The candidate will work collaboratively with other staff at all levels in a hands-on laboratory research environment. The managing scientist will assign tasks and responsibilities. Management of multiple tasks and sometimes changing priorities is a challenge that will require high flexibility and strong organizational skills. There may be occasional travel to partner's sites or conferences (5%).

Accountabilities
Actively promotes safe behavior in the workgroup and takes personal responsibility for safe lab operations. Maintains clean, orderly, and safe working environment. Maintains documentation and equipment including testing equipment, process equipment, lab notebooks, electronic databases, and organized files. Plans and executes experimental work programs, analyzes data, and documents results in reports, tables, and databases. Communicates project progress at the Team level both in writing and verbally. Learns and develops Lithium-Ion Battery expertise to support overall R&D objectives.

Qualifications / experience required
PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Electrochemistry with 0 to 5 years of experience
Knowledge and experience with battery formulation, cell manufacturing, and safety testing is a plus
Strong hands-on laboratory skills, ability to conduct experiments carefully and critically in a dynamic environment
Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing
Proficient with computer software applications (Word, Excel, etc.) and data analysis
Excellent organizational skills, strong interpersonal skills, independent problem-solving skills
Per the DoD (Department of Defense) requirements, this position is open to U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents

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