• Job Description

  Req#: 11504

  Requisition Id 11504

  Overview:

  As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

  We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on enzymatic polymer synthesis and characterization. The position resides in the Macromolecular Nanomaterials Group, Nanomaterials Synthesis Section at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). You will be developing creative solutions for understanding the specificity and regioselectivity of biocatalysts, and elucidating the key factors that impact enzyme stability and performance during enzymatic polymerization. You will focus on developing medium- to high- throughput screening methods for quantifying the performance of panels of biocatalysts and conduct thermodynamic testing to optimize enzyme-substrate interactions. You will work with your mentor to develop methods for quantifying polymer productivity and quality during enzymatic synthesis to support broader research efforts in enzyme engineering.

  You will work closely with other technical support staff and research collaborators in polymer synthesis and characterization, biochemistry, machine learning, structural biology, and analytical chemistry. The ideal candidate should have strong communication and project management skills to complement their scientific and technical expertise in biocatalysts and biocatalytic processes. Projects will take advantage of unique capabilities and collaborations within CNMS and ORNL’s Neutron Scattering Directorate.

  Major Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Conduct synthesis of oligomer and polymers using biocatalysts through polycondensation, ring-opening polymerization, and transesterification
  • Develop methods for macromolecule separation, purification, and analysis using filtration, solvent extraction, chromatography, and analytic ultracentrifugation (AUC)
  • Enzyme selection, substrate preparation, reaction setup and monitoring, process optimization, and data analysis
  • Conduct experiments to determine the thermodynamic parameters of interactions in solution using physical techniques such as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC)
  • Participate in project planning, execution, and reviews
  • Publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner and present research results at national scientific meetings.
  • Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements
  • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

  Basic Qualifications:

  • A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related science discipline completed within the last 5 years

  Preferred Qualifications:

  • A strong interdisciplinary background in polymer synthesis and biocatalysts
  • Experience in basic chemical characterization including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), light scattering, thermal characterization, and viscoelastic measurements
  • Knowledge and expertise in enzyme structure-function relationship
  • Knowledge and expertise in enzymatic reaction kinetics and thermodynamics
  • Interests in enzyme immobilization techniques and chemical process, development such as flow chemistry
  • Experience generating and analyzing large datasets
  • Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently, safety conscious, and to participate creatively in solving problems and refining project directions
  • An excellent record of productive and creative research demonstrated by publication in peer-reviewed journals
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

  Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

  Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

  Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

  • Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
  • View Profile
  • Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

  Benefits at ORNL:

  ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

  Other benefits include: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

  If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov or call 1.866.963.9545.

  This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

  We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

  
  If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

  
  ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

• About the company

  Oak Ridge National Laboratory is an American multiprogram science and technology national laboratory sponsored by the US Department of Energy and administered, managed, and operated by UT–Battelle as a federally funded research and development center u...

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