Postdoctoral Appointee - Characterizing high pressure melts using coherence and nano-beams at HPCAT

The overarching focus of the postdoc position and effort is on advancing the understanding of materials at high pressure-temperature conditions, and in particularly across the solid-melt transition and melt-liquid structure.

With the recent APS-Upgrade project completed and new high coherence and brightness x-ray beam, HPCAT has concurrently made over $20M HPCAT investments in upgrading key infrastructure to advance x-ray platforms for studying matter under extreme conditions. The selected postdoc will have ample opportunities for career growth and cutting-edge scientific research with new platforms at HPCAT and across various featured beamlines of APS, as well as playing a critical role in growth of HPCAT long term.

The selected postdoc will be responsible for continuing to push the boundaries of high pressure-temperature measurements with advanced x-ray platforms.  This includes working in optimizing applicaton of APS-Upgraded high brightness and high coherence beam across APS and at HPCAT and implementing BCDI, XPCS, nano-beam and time resolved microscopy, PDF, 3D imaging techniques, PCI, and other techniques for advanced characterization of materials across solid-liquid and into melt.

Measurements will be performed on various transition metals, but it is expected that the Postdoc would also drive scientific efforts and expand the capability to other materials, such as high entropy alloys, advanced manufactured materials, superconductors, and other materials proposed by the candidate.

Likewise, the Postdoc is expected to continue driving scientific advancements and contribute to long term vision of HPCAT.  Working with staff and extensive partner members (including LANL, LLNL, SNL, and numerous national and international academic and other institutions) The Postdoc will have long term career growth and future opportunities at HPCAT, APS, and beyond. 

Last, it is also expected that the position will continue to grow and/or implement various AI/ML capabilities coupled to advancing the overall research efforts.  As such, we encourage applicants to consider how their data processing and software development capability fits into the proposed work and future direction.  The Postdocs will be working directly with assigned HPCAT staff mentor and interacting on regular basis with HPCAT principal scientist and management.

This is a two year term position (with expected impactful progress) and may be considered for extension and/or conversion to full time position.   

Position Requirements

Candidates with either significant background in high pressure platforms and/or x-ray measurements are encouraged to apply, and candidates from various scientific backgrounds (Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Geoscience, and Engineering, etc.) will be considered.

• Recent or soon-to-be completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, Geosciences or Engineering.

• Demonstrated experience with synchrotron x-ray techniques such as Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging (BCDI), X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS), Phase-Contrast Imaging (PCI), nano-beam and time resolved diffraction microscopy.

• High-pressure background is not mandated for this position, but it is expected that PD would drive scientific efforts to expand the capability to the high-pressure research.

• Able to implement various AI/ML applications.

**Please include your CV and a summary of relevant experience and proposed scientific ideas within the scope of position posting (3 page max).** Application review will commence on June 08 latest and resume until position is filled.

Inquiries regarding scientific scope of the position can be directed to HPCAT Director Nenad Velisavljevic ([email protected]) and HPCAT Group Leader Maddury Somayazulu ([email protected]).  

Job Family

Job Profile

Worker Type

Time Type

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.