Materials Synthesis Scientist - Automated Synthesis of Layered Materials

Why Work at BNL?

Brookhaven National Laboratory is a multipurpose research institution funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. Located on the center of Long Island, New York, Brookhaven Lab brings premier facilities and expertise to the most exciting and meaningful questions in basic and applied science--from the birth of our universe to the sustainable energy technology of tomorrow. We operate state-of-the-art large-scale facilities for studies in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, applied science, and a wide range of advanced technologies. Brookhaven Lab employs nearly 3,000 scientists, engineers, and support staff, and engages more than 4,000 visiting researchers from around the world each year. Our award-winning history, including seven Nobel Prizes, stretches back to 1947, and we continue to unravel mysteries from the nanoscale to the cosmic scale. Brookhaven Science Associates, a nonprofit applied science and technology organization, operates Brookhaven Lab for the U.S Department of Energy.

Organizational Overview

The Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at Brookhaven is a DOE-funded national scientific user facility, offering users a supported research experience with top-caliber scientists and access to state-of-the-art instrumentation. The CFN mission is advancing nanoscience through frontier fundamental research and technique development and is the nexus of a broad collaboration network. Each year, CFN staff members support the research of nearly 600 external facility users.

Three strategic nanoscience themes underlie the CFN scientific facilities: The CFN conducts research on nanomaterial synthesis by assembly designing precise architectures with targeted functionality by organizing nanoscale components. The CFN researches and applies platforms for state-of-the-art techniques for Accelerated Nanomaterial Discovery, integrating synthesis, advanced characterization, physical modeling, and computer science to iteratively explore a wide range of material parameters. The CFN develops and utilizes advanced capabilities for studies of Nanomaterials in Operando Conditions for characterizing materials and reactions at the atomic scale in real-world environments.

Position Description

The CFN is seeking an exceptional Scientific Associate to work on a collaborative project to develop methods, instrumentation, and control software for a unique autonomous experimental platform. The CFN is building an advanced tool which will exploit motion control, robotics, and machine-learning to synthesize nanomaterials formed by stacking two-dimensional layers. These heterostructures have exciting applications in quantum information science. You do not need a background in quantum nanomaterials to be successful in this project. Rather, we seek an energetic scientist interested in applying their skills in instrumentation and/or software development to a collaborative, cutting-edge project. Your research will develop hardware systems (motion systems, robotics, sensing) and software control to automate the handling of ultrathin nanomaterials. You will collaborate with materials science colleagues to understand their synthesis methods, and develop hardware systems to automate these materials synthesis tasks by combining vendor-supplied tools with custom-designed hardware. You will leverage this one-of-a-kind platform to study two-dimensional materials and to research new heterostructure synthesis methods. You will collaborate extensively with a team of colleagues who are expert in materials synthesis, instrument design, systems engineering, and machine-learning.

As the Materials Synthesis Scientist, you will have these roles and responsibilities:

• You will engage with colleagues and the broader community to understand frontier research challenges.
• You will design, build, and validate novel hardware designs for automated handling of ultrathin nanomaterials.
• You will integrate hardware modules together to enable streamlined workflows, deploying software solutions as required.
• You will exploit the advanced instrumentation being developed to study fundamental aspects of two-dimensional materials, especially with regard to exfoliation, handling, and heterostructure synthesis.
• You will collaborate with world-leading groups in two-dimensional materials and quantum devices, helping achieve ambitious research goals through use of the advanced capabilities you develop.

Position Requirements

You are qualified for this role if:

• You have earned a BS degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Chemistry, Physics, or a suitable related discipline
• You have at least five years of relevant experience.
• You have strong skills in the development of customized hardware configurations to solve materials research problems
• You have the ability to coordinate different pieces of scientific equipment through software programming
• You collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams, in both leadership and supporting roles
• You are committed to fostering an environment of safe scientific work practices

Preferred background and experience:

You are well-matched to this position if:

• You have earned a PhD in Materials Science or related discipline
• You have at least 2 years of Post-Doctoral research and development
• You have experience with robotic motion control
• You have experience with advanced analytics approaches, such as machine-learning methods
• You have strong skills in using Python programming for solving challenges in scientific research
• You have direct experience researching two-dimensional materials, especially the exfoliation and transfer of ultrathin flakes
• You communicate effectively, both verbally and through technical writing.

Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate are committed to your success. We offer a supportive work environment and the resources necessary for you to succeed.

At Brookhaven Lab, we believe comprehensive employee benefits are a meaningful part of employee compensation. Our benefits program includes:

• Medical Plans
• Vacations
• Holidays
• Dental Plans
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Plan
• On site swimming pool, weight room tennis courts, and other employee benefits

We invite you to consider working at Brookhaven Lab. To be considered for this position, apply online at www.bnl.gov and click Jobs, then sort by job ID and apply to job #.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring that you receive full consideration for employment. No one will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

BNL takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.