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Postdoctoral Appointee - Electrochemistry

Argonne National Laboratory · Lemont, IL · $72,879–$121,465 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about your industrial experience with plating or solution-based processing. What did it teach you that research didn't?

What they are checking: Whether they bring practical, scale-minded experience the posting specifically asks for.

Tell me about a time you wrote a technical report or paper that changed what your team did next.

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate results in a way that has impact, as the posting expects.

Why does decarbonized metal production matter, and where do you think electrolysis can help most?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the bigger goal of the work and can think about where to focus.

What would you do

How would you think about scaling an electrolysis process from bench to something industry would use?

What they are checking: Whether they consider energy efficiency, cost and durability, not just lab results.

Your deposits come out powdery and poorly adherent. How do you troubleshoot?

What they are checking: Whether they can reason through current density, mass transport and electrolyte chemistry.

About the work

How do the challenges of electrodepositing a metal differ between aqueous, non-aqueous and molten salt electrolytes?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the electrochemical windows, temperatures and handling problems across electrolyte types.

How would you measure physico-chemical properties like conductivity, viscosity and density of a new molten salt electrolyte?

What they are checking: Whether they know practical methods for electrolyte characterization, a key part of the role.

What role do additives play in electrodeposition, and how would you test whether one helps?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how additives change deposit quality and how to evaluate them systematically.

Walk me through how you'd use cyclic voltammetry to study a new metal deposition process.

What they are checking: Whether they can design and read electrochemical analysis experiments.

What safety steps do you take working with molten salts at high temperature?

What they are checking: Whether they take high-temperature and corrosive hazards seriously in the lab.

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The full job description

As published by Argonne National Laboratory.

Argonne National Laboratory in the Applied Materials Division (AMD) at is seeking a Postdoctoral candidate in the Emergent Materials and Processes Group. The candidate will perform basic and applied research in the field of metallization and decarbonized metal production, using methods such as aqueous electrolysis, non-aqueous electrolysis, and molten salt electrolysis. The candidate will conduct Research & Development to help develop processes to enhance electrolysis processes through electrolyte development, including physico-chemical property determination of candidate systems. • Perform technical work related to the development of new processes for metals production and processing. • Prepare formal reports, make presentations, and publish to establish leadership position in R&D for metallization. Position Requirements • Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in chemistry, materials science, metallurgy, electrochemistry, electrometallurgy, chemical engineering, or related scientific background. • Experience with electrochemistry, electrochemical analysis, and electrodeposition of metals, in contact with aqueous, non-aqueous, and molten salt electrolyte formulations, including performance enhancing additives. • Industrial experience with materials synthesis including material plating & solution-based processing. • Experience with glovebox operation • Skilled in safely handling air sensitive chemicals • Demonstrated problem-solving and innovation skills • Strong organizational and critical thinking skills. • Able to prioritize and manage time effectively. • Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork. • This position requires on-site presence five days a week at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois. 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 $72,879.00-$121,465.00. 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.

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