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Position Number: 00112341

Essential Job Duties:

• The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will lead the experimental research program on liquid electrolytes for wide-temperature lithium-ion batteries.
• The objective is a single liquid electrolyte that supports reliable Li-ion full-cell operation across a wide temperature range, where conventional carbonate electrolytes freeze in the cold and degrade at elevated temperatures.
• The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will design and formulate multi-component electrolytes (salt selection, binary and ternary solvent blending, fluorinated diluents, and additive engineering); build and test coin and pouch full cells under standardized protocols in environmental chambers spanning the full temperature window; characterize Li+ solvation structure and electrode/electrolyte interphases; carry out flammability and thermal-safety screening; and deconvolute electrolyte from electrode contributions to cell performance.
• The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will also be responsible for day-to-day execution of the NC State scope of work, for supervising the graduate and undergraduate students assigned to the project, and for preparing the deliverables, data packages, and technical reports owed to the prime contractor.

• Design, formulate, and optimize liquid electrolytes for wide-temperature lithium-ion cells, including salt selection, binary/ternary solvent blending, fluorinated diluents, and additive engineering.
• Assemble and test coin and pouch full cells (NMC||graphite and related chemistries) in an argon glovebox, including electrode slurry preparation, coating, calendering, and cell crimping.
• Execute standardized electrochemical evaluation across the full target temperature range using environmental and cryogenic chambers: galvanostatic cycling, rate capability, impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and three-electrode/reference measurements.
• Characterize electrolyte physicochemical properties and Li+ solvation structure (ionic conductivity, viscosity, freezing and phase behavior, Raman, FTIR, NMR) and electrode-electrolyte interphases (XPS, SEM/EDS, and related tools).
• Perform flammability and thermal-safety screening of candidate formulations under approved safety protocols.
• Analyze, curate, and archive experimental data; maintain complete and auditable electronic laboratory records.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly technical progress reports, milestone data packages, and deliverables for the prime contractor and the Army technical point of contact; participate in sponsor teleconferences and program reviews.
• Write and submit peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference abstracts and present results at national meetings.
• Train, supervise, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students working on the project.
• Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation (gloveboxes, battery cyclers, environmental chambers, potentiostats. and coordinate calibration and service.
• Comply with all EHS requirements for handling flammable organic solvents, lithium salts, lithium metal, compressed gases, dry ice and cryogens, and for battery testing.

Departmental Required Skills:

• Electrolyte preparation and handling of moisture- and air-sensitive materials (glovebox, Schlenk/air-free technique).
• Lithium-ion cell fabrication: electrode slurry casting, calendering, cell assembly and crimping.
• Electrochemical testing and interpretation: galvanostatic cycling, rate capability, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry; operation of battery cyclers and potentiostats.
• Quantitative data analysis and scientific plotting (Python, MATLAB, Origin, or equivalent).
• Scientific writing and presentation; ability to draft manuscripts and sponsor progress reports independently.
• Ability to work safely and independently with flammable organic solvents and lithium-containing materials, and to work effectively with students and external sponsors.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:

• 2+ years of research experience in liquid electrolyte design for lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries beyond the doctoral degree.
• Experience with low-temperature and/or high-temperature battery testing and with environmental, cryogenic, or thermal chambers.
• Experience probing Li+ solvation structure (Raman, FTIR, NMR) and interphase chemistry (XPS, SEM/EDS, cryo-EM, TOF-SIMS).
• Experience with multi-layer pouch cell fabrication and scale-up.
• Experience with flammability, thermal-runaway, or other battery safety testing.
• Prior experience on projects, including milestone-driven reporting.
• Experience mentoring graduate or undergraduate researchers.

Necessary Licenses or Certifications:
N/A

AA/EOE:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

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Department: 140201 - Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina