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Assistant Materials Scientist — Operando Battery Characterization

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, ILFull-time$94–147K/yrSeen 1w agoSeen in employer's feed 6 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$94–147K/yr
Location
Lemont, IL
Role Type
Research
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Job overview

The Assistant Materials Scientist will support energy-storage research at the Advanced Photon Source and Argonne’s Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division. The role applies high-energy X-ray diffraction and related methods to study battery materials during synthesis and operation, and may include complementary in-house characterization. The researcher will develop tools for operando characterization and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team advancing energy-storage technologies.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Energy-Storage SystemsBattery MaterialsIn Situ CharacterizationOperando CharacterizationSample SynthesisSample PreparationCAD Software3D PrintingRoboticsData Analysis ProgrammingExperimental Control ProgrammingWritten CommunicationOral CommunicationSynchrotron X-Ray MethodsIndependent WorkCollaboration

Qualifications

PhD in Chemistry or RelatedBachelor's+5, Master's+3 or PhD+0 Yrs

Full job description

Lemont, IL USA

On-site

Full time

423548

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative researcher to support innovative energy-storage research at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) and within Argonne’s Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division. The successful candidate will apply high-energy X-ray diffraction and related characterization methods to investigate battery materials and systems during synthesis and operation.

This role offers the opportunity to develop and deploy high-throughput hardware and software tools for real-time, operando characterization under thermal and electrochemical conditions. In addition to synchrotron-based experiments, the candidate may contribute to complementary in-house characterization efforts using techniques such as electron microscopy, computed tomography, and acoustic methods.

Key responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments; developing sample environments and experimental workflows; analyzing and interpreting large experimental datasets; and communicating research findings through scientific conferences and peer-reviewed publications. The candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional team advancing next-generation energy-storage technologies.

Position Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or a related field (postdoctoral research experience will be beneficial)

  • Strong knowledge of energy-storage systems and battery materials

  • Experience with in situ and operando characterization studies, including sample synthesis and preparation

  • Familiarity with CAD software, 3D printing, robotics, and programming for data analysis and experimental control

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated through publications, presentations, and/or professional recognition

  • Experience with synchrotron X-ray methods for probing material structure and reactivity is preferred

  • Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional research environment

  • Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Application Requirements

  • Cover letter

  • Detailed curriculum vitae, including a list of publications

  • A statement on proposed research (2-page max) and 1-page statement regarding an approach to engage and grow the scientific user program

  • Names and contact information for three professional references

RD2: Bachelors and 5+ years of experience, Masters and 3+ years, or PhD and 0+ years, or equivalent

Job Family

Research Development (RD)

Job Profile

Materials/Ceramics/Metallurgical 2

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here (https://www.anl.gov/hr/healthcare-insurance) to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Interested in translating science into innovation? Build your career at Argonne.

At Argonne, we view the world from a different perspective. Our scientists and engineers conduct world-class research in clean energy, the environment, technology, national security and more. We’re finding creative ways to prepare the world for a better future.

To learn more about Argonne's benefits programs, amenities, and other employee programs, visit our main Careers (http://www.anl.gov/careers) site.

To learn more about the exciting science going on at Argonne, visit our Science and Technology (http://www.anl.gov/argonnes-science-and-technology) page.

To request a reasonable accommodation or for other application support, contact us anytime at [email protected] or 630-252-2336.

How this job compares

Set against the 2,291 open Research Scientist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 29, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$94–147K/yr
  • Illinois median$125–142K/yr36 salary ranges
  • US median$150–228K/yr1,544 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $121K, is 3% below the Illinois median midpoint ($125K) — in the middle half of Research Scientist salary ranges in Illinois.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 43 open Research Scientist jobs in Illinois and 2,291 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Illinois
Experience
This posting asks for no prior experience — less than three in four Research Scientist postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 1,263 postings).
Education
1,200 of the 2,291 open Research Scientist jobs (52%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 29, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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