Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Energy & Photon Sciences Directorate at Brookhaven National Laboratory advances forefront research in materials, chemistry, energy science, and condensed matter physics using world-class experimental and computational capabilities. As part of this directorate, the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is a premier DOE Office of Science user facility that provides ultra-bright synchrotron X-rays for interdisciplinary research in physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science, and advanced materials. NSLS-II supports thousands of users annually by enabling cutting-edge imaging, spectroscopy, scattering, and microscopy experiments across a broad range of scientific applications.

Position Description

The postdoctoral researcher will develop and apply high-precision advanced manufacturing, multimodal synchrotron x-ray characterization, physics-based modeling, and AI-driven data analysis to accelerate the discovery and optimization of hierarchical metamaterials. The position involves conducting in situ synchrotron experiments at NSLS-II, integrating multimodal datasets, and developing predictive process–structure–property frameworks and closed-loop AI–experiment workflows for high-precision advanced manufacturing and materials discovery. The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary environment spanning high-precision advanced manufacturing, advanced characterization, and AI while contributing to DOE-aligned research programs in energy and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct high-precision advanced manufacturing experiments and multimodal in situ synchrotron x-ray characterization at NSLS-II to investigate process–structure–property relationships in hierarchical metamaterials.

• Develop and apply AI-driven data analysis workflows, including multimodal data integration, image segmentation, predictive modeling, and uncertainty-aware active learning approaches.

• Perform data analysis and collaborate on physics-based simulations to support closed-loop experiment–simulation–AI frameworks for accelerated materials discovery and optimization.

• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals, present results at scientific conferences, and contribute to DOE-supported advanced manufacturing and AI research initiatives.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ph.D. in materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, data science, or a related discipline.

• Knowledge of data analysis, scientific programming, or AI/ML methods using languages such as Python, MATLAB, or C/C++.

• Experience or strong interest in high-precision advanced manufacturing, synchrotron x-ray characterization, materials processing, or advanced functional materials.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with synchrotron techniques such as x-ray imaging, scattering, spectroscopy, or related characterization methods.

• Familiarity with machine learning, multimodal data integration, or scientific workflow automation.

Other Information:

• Initial 2-year term appointment subject to renewal contingent on performance and funding.

• Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.

• BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness, or other life-changing events.

• This is a fully onsite position located at BNL in Upton, NY.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $74,000.00 - $88,000.00 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.

As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.

About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor

BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file