Electrochemical CO2 Conversion

Reference Code

NETL-PGRP-2024-Kauffman

How To Apply

A complete application consists of:

• An application, including academic history, work history experiences, and honors/awards
• Description of your goals, related experience, and related skills – refer to NETL’s Core Competencies and ongoing projects when applicable
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations You must provide contact information for at least two recommenders in your application. The first two recommendations received will be attached to your application for review by NETL. You may click the “send” (paper airplane) button to send the recommendation request email immediately after entering their information prior to submitting your application; if not, a request will automatically be sent when you submit your application. Your recommenders will receive an email with a subject line of “[Your Name] – ORISE Recommendation Request – [your email]”, from [email protected]. This email will include information on the opportunity to which you have applied, as well as a secure link to submit a recommendation for you for this application. If you ask the same person to submit a recommendation for you for multiple applications in Zintellect, they must click the unique link in each email request, but will be given the opportunity to copy over what they had previously submitted.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions about the application process, contact [email protected].

After you have submitted an application in Zintellect, you may reach out to [email protected] to request to talk with the hosting researcher if you would like additional information on the project or to express particular interest. You must have a completed application in Zintellect to receive a response.

Application Tips

NETL values a combination of academic success, experience, and leadership potential as demonstrated in all aspects of your application. NETL’s goal is to create, maintain, and support a diverse environment that encourages creative ideas and leadership. In the words of Lab Director Brian Anderson, “our differences make us stronger and we’re united in fostering inclusivity in all aspects of our research to drive innovation and deliver solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future.” In your application, show us who you are!

To increase your chances of being selected for an appointment, we recommend:

Ensuring that everything you submit is grammatically correct and clearly expressed.

Application Deadline

4/30/2025 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

The National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL’s) record of success has been built on understanding the future of energy and the technologies required to make that future possible. We’ve long touted our success in developing the technologies that took on acid rain in the 1970s and mercury in the early 2000s. More recently, NETL has a leading role in President Biden’s ambitious climate goals, including a carbon emission-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050.

Program Goals

The NETL Postgraduate Research Program (PGRP) is a high-intensity program designed to identify recent Master’s and Doctoral graduates of high promise and to foster advanced skill development. It allows the postgraduate to systematically outline career goals and helps provide the means of achieving these goals. NETL principal investigators and leads serve as mentors to PGRP participants during the program. This interaction affords the postgraduate a unique opportunity to develop critical skills needed to become an independent professional.

The program goals include providing the opportunity to participants to:

• Develop skills and knowledge in their field of study
• Engage with new areas of basic and applied research
• Network with world-class scientists
• Exchange ideas and skills with the Laboratory community
• Use state-of-the-art equipment
• Contribute to answers for today’s pressing scientific questions
• Collaborate with the broader scientific and technical communities

Project Details

Through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), this posting seeks a post-Doctoral or post-Master’s researcher to engage in projects with the Research Innovation Center (RIC) at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in the area of Carbon Utilization under the mentorship of Douglas Kauffman This project will be hosted at the NETL Pittsburgh, PA campus.

NETL is seeking a qualified candidate to engage in a project focusing on materials synthesis and electrochemical CO2 conversion. We are looking for a demonstrated background in electrochemistry and electrocatalysis, materials synthesis and characterization. This project will involve electrode fabrication, materials characterization, device-level testing, product analysis, and data analysis. Throughout the project, liquid and product chromatography, various characterization techniques (XPS, RAMAN, XRD, SEM, etc.), and full-cell electrolyzer operation may be utilized. The selected candidate will be expected to conduct independent research within the project framework and collaborate with other NETL staff as needed.

The goal of this research appointment is to demonstrate electrochemical CO2 conversion, identify potential degradation pathways, and develop strategies to improve durability, product selectivity, and energy efficiency. The anticipated project will engage collaboratively with other NETL staff to publish papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and deliver presentations at national scientific meetings. The selected candidate will develop new skills, network with leading scientists in the field, use state-of-the-art equipment, and contribute to the DOE’s broader decarbonization goals.

Stipend: The selected participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

• Post-Master’s stipends start at $3,891 per month.
• Post-Doctoral stipends start at $5,759 per month.

Deliverables: To document the effectiveness of the program, participants are required to submit a pre-appointment and post-appointment survey, as well as a reflection on their appointment experience when they renew or end their appointment. The reflection should summarize their project(s), additional activities, and overall experience. Details are provided as the appointment end date approaches.

Participants may also have the opportunity to contribute to manuscripts, journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, posters, patents, and other publications as a part of their appointment. Such achievements should also be reported to ORISE; additional details are provided after an offer has been accepted.

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory system, is owned and operated by the DOE. NETL supports the DOE mission to advance the energy security of the United States. This is an educational opportunity offered by NETL and administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Participants in the program are not considered employees of NETL, DOE, the program administrator, or any other office or agency.

Qualifications

To be eligible, you must have received a Master’s degree within the last three years or a Doctoral degree within the last five years; or be planning to receive a Master’s degree or doctoral degree prior to the appointment start date.

The ideal candidate would have some, but not necessarily all, of the following:

• Electrochemistry
• Electrocatalysis
• Materials characterization
• Materials sythesis
• Chromatography

Eligibility Requirements“>12 )

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):

• Chemistry and Materials Sciences (<a href=”#” data-bs-toggle=”popover” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” data-bs-title=”Chemistry and Materials Sciences” data-bs-content=”
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Bio-inorganic Chemistry
  • Bio-organic Chemistry
  • Biophysical Chemistry
  • Chemistry (General)
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Sciences
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Theoretical Chemistry
• Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
      • Engineering (27 )
        • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
          • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
            • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
              • Physics (16 )
                • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
                  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
                    • Age: Must be 18 years of age

                    Affirmation

                    I certify that I attend or attended a regionally accredited college or university and:

                    • Have an earned a Doctoral degree no more than five years before the date of application.

                    OR

                    • Have earned a Master’s degree no more than three years before the date of application.

                    OR

                    • Will receive a Doctoral or Master’s degree by the appointment start date