Sr. Materials Scientist - Solid Oxide Electrolyzer​/Fuel Cell

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment.

In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system;

and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We deliver new technologies that connect fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage.

We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development, and scale‑up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization.

Our expert staff provides multi‑disciplinary solutions to complex energy and environmental issues. Key capabilities include science (chemical and mechanical). We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development and scale‑up, as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization. EP&MD focuses on three mission contributions:
Clean Fossil Energy, Electricity Infrastructure, and Critical Materials and Energy Innovation.

The Applied Materials and Manufacturing Group at PNNL is seeking a materials scientist to lead research and development of high‑temperature electrolyzers made using innovative metal and ceramics manufacturing and processing approaches. This position will conduct research in hydrogen production and contribute to energy resiliency. The position holder will become an integral part of a team that is working to dramatically improve materials performance and energy efficiency.

The position holder will lead small research teams to fabricate, characterize, and test high‑temperature electrochemical solid oxide cells, perform electrode kinetics evaluation, and conduct durability studies to understand the performance limitations and degradation of the electrochemical devices. The position holder will interface and collaborate with other researchers to deliver on project milestones.

The position holder will:

• Develop and execute experimental plans to synthesize and characterize materials for high‑temperature electrolyzers
• Direct laboratory work with the support of other technical staff
• Analyze electrochemical data and formulate conclusions
• Support scoping, scheduling, and budgeting at a project or major task level
• Serve as a role model for quality, safety, and security
• Author and contribute to scientific publications, presentations at professional society conferences, and/or to sponsors

The position holder should be an expert in at least one technical domain, with the ability to connect multiple domains. Sought after for technical leadership to select and develop approaches to complex challenges. Uses established cross‑organizational network, external peers, and clients to further outcomes. The…