Postdoctoral Appointee – Membranes for Fuel Cells
Argonne National Laboratory
Lemont, USA
Job posting number: #7270971 (Ref:418741)
Posted: August 10, 2024
Job Description
The Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Water Electrolysis Group at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking to hire a postdoctoral appointee for fabricating and testing polymeric ion-exchange membranes for fuel cell. The candidate will be a part of the Transportation and Power Systems Division within the Advanced Energy Technologies Directorate at Argonne. The role will involve synergistic collaborations with a multidisciplinary team involving experimentalists that work on electrocatalysts and advanced metrology, physics-based cell and systems level modeling, and membrane manufacturers.
The candidate is expected to synthesize a library of hydrocarbon (or low-fluorine content) proton exchange ionomers using super-acid catalyzed polyhydroxyalkylation and ring-opening metathesis (ROMP) polymerization. The candidate may need to make ionomers via other synthetic routes. Synthesis activities will also include incorporation of ionic moieties into the material post-polymer synthesis and using monomers with ionic moieties. The candidate should be proficient in NMR and gel-permeation chromatography as well as measuring ionic conductivity, ion-exchange capacity, and water uptake. We will teach the candidate how to fabricate membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for fuel cell testing; however, experience in making MEAs is a plus.
Position Requirements
Ph.D. in chemical engineering, chemistry, and materials science and engineering.
Expertise in polymer synthesis and characterization, as well as membrane fabrication and measuring the electrochemical properties of ionomer membranes.
The ability to work collaboratively with teams and individuals in other divisions, laboratories, and companies.
Skilled communication skills – both written and oral at all levels of the organization.
Ability to present research at technical meetings and publish results in peer reviewed journal articles.
Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
Ability to make our laboratory a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment where all can thrive.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge in polymer synthesis, characterization, and membrane fabrication.
Testing the properties of ionomer membranes including conductivity, water uptake, and ion-exchange capacity.
The ability to fabricate membrane electrode assemblies for single-cell electrochemical testing.
Experience in interdisciplinary collaborative research.
Job Family
Postdoctoral FamilyJob Profile
Postdoctoral AppointeeWorker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)Time Type
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