Postdoctoral Scholar - Polymer Dielectrics & Energy Storage

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Scholar - Polymer Dielectrics & Energy Storage within the Material Sciences division. This position will conduct research on polymer composite dielectrics for advanced energy storage applications. This position is part of a multidisciplinary program focused on the design, synthesis, processing, and characterization of organic-inorganic hybrid materials capable of reliable operation under demanding electrical and thermal conditions.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will lead hands-on experimental efforts, including polymer composite synthesis, thin-film fabrication, dielectric device preparation, and electrical characterization. The work emphasizes understanding structure-processing-property relationships in polymer-based dielectric materials and translating this understanding into improved capacitor performance. This role is well suited for candidates with strong laboratory skills in polymer materials, composites, and electrical characterization.

You will:

• Process and fabricate polymer dielectric thin-films and capacitor test structures.
• Perform dielectric, electrical, and thermal characterization, including capacitance, dielectric loss, breakdown strength, and temperature-dependent measurements.
• Design and execute experiments for the synthesis of polymer composites and organic-inorganic hybrid dielectric materials.
• Investigate structure-property-processing relationships relevant to high-field and high-temperature dielectric performance to inform the digital discovery of new polymers.
• Characterize materials, interfaces, and film morphology using microscopy and materials characterization tools (e.g., SEM, AFM, TEM, thermal analysis).
• Maintain rigorous experimental records and contribute high-quality datasets for internal collaboration.
• Communicate research results through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and internal reports.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of materials scientists, chemists, and engineers within a shared user-facility environment.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Safe handling of solvents, nanofillers, high-voltage testing, and instrument SOPs; participation in EHS trainings and near-miss reporting culture.
• Reproducibility & data stewardship: Version-controlled protocols, metadata standards for dielectric testing, and contribution to shared repositories (aligns with "high-quality datasets" and organizational effectiveness).
• Mentoring / community: Light mentoring of students/visitors; contributing to inclusive lab culture and knowledge transfer.

We are looking for:

• Ph.D. (completed within the last two years) in Polymer Science, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong hands-on experience in polymer synthesis and/or polymer composite fabrication.
• Demonstrated expertise in thin-film processing and experimental materials characterization.
• Experience working independently in a laboratory setting with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Experience with dielectric materials, capacitor fabrication, or electrical measurements.
• Familiarity with organic-inorganic hybrid materials or nanocomposites.
• Experience using electron microscopy or scanning probe techniques (SEM, TEM, AFM).
• Interest in contributing experimental insights to broader materials discovery efforts.

Required Application Materials:

• CV
• Cover Letter (1 page)
• Publication List

Additional information:

• Application date: Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time 2 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• Salary range: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes. The salary range for this position is $69,084 - $82,836. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at:Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).