Job Description
Posting Title Postdoctoral Researcher—Photoelectrocatalysis . Location CO - Golden . Position Type Postdoc (Fixed Term) . Hours Per Week 40 . Working at NLR NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being. Job Description The Materials, Chemical, and Computational Sciences Directorate has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to support the next generation of photo(electro)catalysis research. This project will be focused on understanding the fundamentals of photo(electro)chemical transformations – such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), or nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) – using emerging inorganic semiconductor materials in thin-film configurations. This position will be supported by DOE Basic Energy Science Programs funded at NLR. The position will involve characterization of novel semiconductor materials and architectures as photoelectrodes to identify defects, probe reaction mechanisms, and tune optoelectronic and catalytic properties. Potential strategies for tuning the resulting properties will require experience with chemical treatments/additives, atomic or molecular doping, surface functionalization, and/or strain engineering. To understand the impact of these manipulations on catalytically active semiconductor systems, the candidate will be engaged in team science that leverages in situ steady-state (UV-vis, IR, Raman, PL) and time-resolved (IR, transient absorption) spectroscopies, microscopy (Confocal Raman/PL, AFM), and product detection (mass spectrometry, gas chromatography) tools to probe the fundamental optoelectronic properties, reaction mechanisms, and material stability/durability. The successful candidate should therefore have experience in one or more of these characterization techniques and have a passion for devising experiments to deeply understand systems, not optimize them for performance. The successful applicant will be invested in working in a cross-disciplinary team of material scientists, chemists, spectroscopists, and theorists to probe and understand surfaces, interfaces, and durability of newly developed chemistries and architectures. They should have proven expertise in data analysis, experimental design, presentations, and writing of manuscripts. The initial appointment is for 1 year with extension of up to 3 years total preferred, provided mutual satisfaction and availability of funds. Please include a cover letter to complete your application. . Basic Qualifications Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years. * Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date. Additional Required Qualifications PhD in Chemistry, Material Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related fields. Established track record in scientific writing, presentation, publication, and communication. Preferred Qualifications Candidates should have direct experience in one or more of the following areas: Photoelectrocatalysis, electrocatalysis, or photocatalysis, particularly for fuel-forming reactions such as CO2R, NO3RR, HER, or OER Spectroscopic or other characterization of (photo/electro)catalysts and/or modified materials surfaces Strategies for establishing the stability of new materials exposed to electrolyte and during catalytic operation Semiconductor device physics Characterization of the optoelectronic properties of semiconductors Additional experience in semiconductor photoelectrochemistry, spectro-electrochemistry, thin film or nanoparticle s