Argonne National Laboratory

Postdoctoral Appointee – Ultrafast Spectroscopy and Light-Matter Interactions

Lemont, IL, US

In-personFull time roleEarly Career

3 days ago

About the Job

The Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division is seeking a highly qualified and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team in the area of light-matter interactions, with a particular focus on photoinduced energy and charge transfer and transport in various chemical systems.

This position focuses on advancing fundamental understanding of light-matter interactions with direct relevance to energy conversion. The research involves exploring the excited-state structural dynamics and mechanisms of photoinduced energy and charge transfer across a wide spectrum of systems, including small transition metal complexes, donor-acceptor pairs, and hybrid molecular-material interfaces. By designing and deploying state-of-the-art ultrafast nonlinear optical spectroscopy techniques—such as transient absorption and emission spectroscopy—the role aims to probe both electronic and nuclear dynamics occurring on femtosecond to nanosecond timescales in photoexcited molecules and materials.

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for making measurements with advanced ultrafast optical spectroscopies, analyzing and interpreting complex spectroscopic data to map the full trajectory of excited-state processes—from the moment of photon absorption through transient structural rearrangements and intermediate states, to the ultimate photochemical outcomes like photocatalysis. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for guiding the rational design of next-generation materials and systems for solar energy applications.

In addition, the role requires close collaboration within a multidisciplinary research environment, working alongside experts in photocatalysis, X-ray spectroscopy and scattering, and inorganic materials synthesis. This collaborative framework supports the integration of complementary insights and methods, fostering innovation and accelerating progress in the development of efficient solar energy conversion technologies.

Position Requirements

  • Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in fields of physical chemistry or physics

  • Strong background in quantum mechanics, photophysics, and photochemistry

  • Hands-on experience with ultrafast nonlinear optical spectroscopy (e.g., transient absorption and emission), including laser operation, optical alignment, detector interfacing, and data analysis

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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

Preferred Requirements:

  • Knowledge and experience with advanced spectroscopic techniques, such as 2D electronic spectroscopy (2DES), 2D infrared (2DIR), and 2D electronic-vibrational (2DEV) spectroscopy are desirable but not necessary

  • Familiarity with experimental setup, including computer interfacing and electronics

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $70,758.00-$117,925.00.

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 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.

About the Company

Argonne National Laboratory Logo

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL, USA

1001-5000

<p class="break-words white-space-pre-wrap t-black--light text-body-medium">Argonne National Laboratory, one of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories for science and engineering research, employs 3,400 employees, including 1,400 scientists and engineers, three-quarters of whom hold doctoral degrees. Argonne's annual operating budget of around $1 billion supports upwards of 200 research projects. Since 1990, Argonne has worked with more than 600 companies and numerous federal agencies and other organizations. Argonne's mission is to apply a unique mix of world-class science, engineering and user facilities to deliver innovative research and technologies. We create new knowledge that addresses the most important scientific and societal needs of our nation. We actively seek opportunities to work with industry to transfer our technologies to the marketplace through licensing, joint research and many other collaborative relationships. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. We are located on 1,500 acres (6.9 sq. km) in southwest DuPage County, Illinois 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Chicago. The site is completely encircled by the beautiful Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.</p>

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