Computational Mineralogy Postdoctoral Fellow

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's ( LBNL ) Energy Geosciences Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Living Minerals Laboratory in the area of Computational Mineralogy.

Join a top-tier research team unlocking solutions to the scarcity of essential materials for next-generation energy and information technologies. You will use state-of-the-art computational tools based on physics, chemistry and AI to investigate a variety of mineral resources including brines, clays, hardrocks, mine tailings, and e-waste for their potential as feedstocks for the synthesis batteries and computer chips. Your role will be to design processes for transforming resources into sustainable materials by modeling reaction pathways from first principles. The project will collaborate with a broad scientific team using state-of-the-art instrumentation at Berkeley Lab including autonomous platforms for mineral characterization, calorimetry, and processing. We utilize quantum sensing, scanning probe microscopy, X-ray and electron imaging, scattering or spectroscopy to create in-house minerals properties databases that you will use to construct computational reaction models from resource to recharge, from mine to magnet.

What You Will Do :

Use and develop minerals and materials databases for computed and measured properties.

Predict and control mineral reaction pathways using first-principles thermodynamics

Design and implement machine learning models for data collection, reduction, analysis, and visualization.

Work creatively, independently, and productively.

Work as a member of a multidisciplinary research team.

Work collaboratively with laboratory technicians.

Publish peer-reviewed journal articles and present work at scientific conferences.

Contribute to progress reports and team deliverables.

Supervise laboratory interns or students, if there is mutual interest.

What is Required :

Ph.D. in Geology, mineralogy, earth science, chemistry, materials science, physics, computer science or relevant STEM field.

Demonstrated ability to perform research that addresses fundamental science questions.

Demonstrated experience with computational chemistry methods including density functional theory, molecular dynamics, and bond valence.

Strong coding skills including object-oriented programming, software engineering practice (version control, unit testing, continuous integration). Preferred language of experience is Python.

Demonstrated experience working with the Materials Project and pymatgen.

Ability to work creatively, independently, and productively.

Ability to work as a member of a large multidisciplinary research team.

Excellent written and oral presentation skills.

Record of timely publications.

The position will remain open until filled. For full consideration, with the following application materials :

Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background (1 page maximum).

Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Names and contact information for three references.

PDFs of 2 top publications.

Notes :

Appointment Type : This is a full-time, 2-year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.

Salary Information : The monthly salary range for this position is $6,476.00 - $8,619 and is expected to start at $6,476.00 or above. Postdoc positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D postdoctoral and / or related research experience.

Background Check : This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

Work Modality : Work will be primarily performed at : Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Starting May 7, a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here ).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit : careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer : The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values : Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement : As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.