Materials Science Researcher

RECRUITMENT ID: 166
RESIDENCY: Before starting job, candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a
sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for up to 24 months
and working closely with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the California State
University, Chico (CSU, Chico), the researcher will develop materials chemistry solutions for lithium-
sulfur (Li-S) batteries which theoretically have significantly higher energy densities compared to current
battery chemistries. Specifically, the researcher will focus on synthesis and characterization of metal-
organic frameworks (MOFs), as well as fabrication of thin MOF films, for applications in Li-S batteries.
Characterization of MOFs by techniques including XRD and BET will be required. The researcher will work
closely with a multidisciplinary team with most of the time at CSU, Chico, and partial time expected to
be spent at San Jose State University (SJSU) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). This
work will lead to the potential for publications in nationally and internationally recognized materials
science/chemistry journals as well as applications in projects with renewable energy missions. The
researcher will also be expected to work with and mentor undergraduate research students from
underrepresented groups, first-generation college backgrounds, and women subpopulations.

The major duty of the researcher is to conduct experimental research in the laboratory, under the
supervision of Dr. So at CSU, Chico. More specifically, the job duties tentatively include the following:

• Perform synthesis, post-synthetic modification, and characterization of conductive MOFs, as well

as fabrication and characterization of thin MOF films.

• Develop understanding of structure-property relationships for optimizing polysulfide adsorption

energies, MOF reactivity, and Li-S redox kinetics.

• Design and implement research protocols; adapt new procedures, methods or instrumentation

relative to research procedures

• Collect, prepare, and analyze research data; discuss results in group meetings; keep a detailed

record summarizing experiments and recording research data

• Collaborate with computational and experimental scientists at LLNL and SJSU to accomplish

research goals.

• Oversee laboratory safety and equipment maintenance relevant to project
• Supervise other personnel in the laboratory and coordinate research efforts for increased

DOE community and at conferences/technical meetings.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Required:

• Education: Applicant must have a graduate degree in chemistry, physics, materials science and

engineering, chemical engineering, or related field with a strong emphasis on in/organic

materials synthesis and characterization and surface chemistry, specifically:

o PhD, earned within 5 years prior to employment, OR
o MSc, and 3 years of relevant research/work experience

• Experienced in materials characterization techniques including XRD and BET
• Ability to work independently on technical tasks, influence technical objectives, to provide in

undergraduate and graduate students, and other technical and administrative staff in a
collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Preferred:

• Strong academic background
• Laboratory experience in fundamental studies of surface chemistry and electrochemical

and fabrication of materials, ideally related to metal organic framework or lithium-sulfur
batteries.

• Familiarity with collaboration and integration of experimental characterization techniques with

modeling

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for

employment. Chico State Enterprises will make a conditional offer of employment, which may

be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered

that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete

the background check may affect the continued employment of a current Chico State Enterprises

employee who was conditionally offered the position.

BENEFITS:
Benefits for employees working 30 hours or more per week include employer paid life insurance
($50,000) and long-term disability; options for health, dental, and vision insurance; FSA; 14 paid holidays
including 1 personal holiday; vacation accrual (initially 10 days/year); sick leave (up to 12 days/year);

employer contributions to your 403(b) retirement plan (up to 8%).

HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered, submit the following documents by July 8th, 2024. Documents submitted after this
date may not be considered.

• Resume
• Chico State Enterprises Application
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for three professional references

BY DROP BOX: https://csuchico.app.box.com/f/b3e9a32fd93e46a3a3bbb54d53bb4cda
BY EMAIL: [email protected]

Paper applications will not be accepted; however, Chico State Enterprises is an Equal Opportunity
Employer and is happy to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants at any step of the
application process. If you need assistance in this regard, or are having technical difficulties, please
contact the Human Resources office at 530-898-6811 or [email protected] prior to 5:00 pm on the
document deadline date. The employer is Chico State Enterprises, a non- profit corporation serving as
an auxiliary organization of California State University, Chico. Employment is considered to be at- will. :
Chico State Enterprises is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on
the basis of race, religion, color ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity,
gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered
veteran status, or any other protected status. It is the Enterprises policy to hire only United States
citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees must provide
proof of identity and authorization to work.