ostdoctoral Research Associate - Catalytic Chemist

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Date: Dec 21, 2020

Location: Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37831

Company: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Requisition Id 4579 
Overview:  
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on measuring and
analyzing reaction kinetics and mechanisms and spectroscopic identification of surface
chemistry relevant to the catalytic conversions of alkanes and oxygenates.  This position
resides in the Surface Chemistry and Catalysis (SCC) Group in the Chemical
Transformation Section, Chemical Science Division, Physical Science Directorate at Oak
Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).   
 
Under general supervision, the Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research
on C-H bond activation and conversion in model alkanes and oxygenates with a goal of
correlating surface reactions with surface properties of complex oxides and supported
metals. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with other researchers involved in
a Basic Energy Sciences (BES) funded project on Fundamentals of Catalysis and
Chemical Transformation. The SCC group conducts research into surface chemistry on
complex oxides and supported metals in the catalytic reactions of oxygenates and
alkanes conversions.  Primary research interests are focused on mechanistic
understanding of dehydrogenation, hydrogenation and coupling reactions with the goal to
reveal the fundamental properties of oxide and metal – oxide surfaces that control the
reaction pathways.  Approaches include experimental and computational studies of
kinetics and reactivity, spectroscopic identification of surface reactants under in situ and
operando conditions, UHV based approach to surface chemistry and synthesis of model
catalysts as an approach to understanding structure-function relationships in catalysis.
Arrays of techniques for characterizing physical and catalytic properties are in place or
are currently being developed within the group. This research program also takes
advantage of resources at ORNL and in particular at the Center for Nanophase Materials
Sciences and neutron scattering at the Spallation Neutron Source. The environment at
ORNL is highly collaborative and crosscutting research exists between the Chemical
Sciences Division and other Divisions at ORNL.