Post-Doctoral Research Associate for advanced Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy and data analysis in oxidation

The Electron Microscopy Group is composed of six permanent scientific and technical staff members and five state-of-the-art electron microscopes optimized for cutting-edge studies of nanomaterials (details online www.bnl.gov/cfn), including an aberration-corrected FEI Titan 80-300 Environmental Transmission Electron Microscope (ETEM) with ultrafast camera, and an FEI Talos operando (S)TEM with specially designed specimen chamber optimized for in situ holders. The CFN is acquiring two new customized, ultra-high spatial& energy resolution STEMs with have sub-angstrom spatial-resolution and sub-10meV energy-resolution, with expected installation in 2026 (20 keV, secondary electron detector) and 2027 (ultra-high vacuum environmental STEM with nine orders of magnitude pressure range). This highly collaborative project involves partners at Brookhaven and nearby institutions including Stonybrook University, U. Pittsburgh, and SUNY Binghamton. You will be professionally mentored by Dr. Judith Yang and Dr. Meng Li and receive technical guidance from other CFN Electron Microscopy group members. Because of the sophistication and uniqueness of the instrumentation, you will have demonstrated your hands-on expertise with high-resolution TEM/STEM/EELS, atomic-resolution in situ experiments in gas/liquids, and coding-based data analysis during your graduate research. This position is an extraordinary research opportunity to develop and apply cutting-edge electron microscopy techniques as well as advance fundamental understanding of oxidation to establish predictive understanding of oxidation in metals and alloys relevant to energy, extreme environments, catalysis, nanoprocessing, and structural materials.

The CFN is seeking an exceptional Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on the atomic-scale understanding of metal/alloy oxidation, by developing and using state-of-the-art environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) with machine learning enhanced data analysis. In this postdoc position, you will be a member of the Electron Microscopy group and collaborate closely with theorists and experimentalists to uncover the fundamental oxidation mechanisms in metal and alloys using aberration-corrected environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM), first-of-its-kind aberration-corrected monochromated environmental scanning transmission electron microscopy (E-STEM) with advanced electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), and a suite of new in situ operando gas and liquid cell holders to perform quantitative, atomic-resolution in situ experiments under oxidizing conditions. You will also work on developing and applying machine learning and advanced data analysis tools to accelerate and enhance the interpretation of E(S)TEM datasets, to advance the mechanistic understanding of metal/alloy oxidation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• You will conduct atomic-scale investigations of metal and alloy oxidation using in situ environmental TEM, gas-cell TEM, STEM and EELS.
• You will develop and utilize advanced instrumentation to perform quantitative, in situ/operando E-(S)TEM experiments with an exceptional spatial and temporal resolution for metal/alloy oxidation.
• You will develop and implement machine-learning and advanced codes for enhanced and automated analysis of in situ microscopy and spectroscopy datasets.
• You will collaborate with scientific staff with diverse backgrounds, including data analytics, electron microscopy, modeling, materials theory, and oxidation/corrosion science.
• You will perform impactful nanomaterial research, publish papers, and give external presentations on your work.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a related engineering discipline) within the past (5) years or will complete your degree before the starting date.
• Demonstrated extensive experience with in situ TEM experiments in gas/liquid, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.
• Strong programming skills and demonstrated extensive experience in coding-based advanced data analysis of in situ TEM datasets.
• Demonstrated track record of publications of research in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations, GitHub repository records, or other public communications.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, and technical staff.
• Commitment to fostering an environment of safe scientific work practices and cultivating an inclusive and respectful workplace environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• You have hands-on experience and a strong interest in in situ TEM in gas/liquid environments and high-resolution (S)TEM instruments.
• You have experience developing and applying coding-based tools for analyzing in situ TEM data.
• You have experience working with large multidimensional datasets (time-series in situ data, spectrum imaging, 4D-STEM).
• You work effectively in an interdisciplinary team to tackle challenging scientific problems, particularly the application of data analytics to understand experimental results.
• You communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• You are committed to disseminating your results through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations/proceedings, and GitHub repository records or other public communications.

Additional Information:

• This is a 2-year Postdoc Assignment.
• BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post- doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness, or other life-changing events.
• Candidates must have completed all degree requirements by the commencement of the employment.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $71900 - $82400 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.