Postdoctoral Position in Materials Sciences (Argonne National Laboratory)

Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory Location: Lemont, Illinois, USA (near Chicago) Application website: https://www.aps.anl.gov/ Position Description The Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral position focused on developing and implementing pioneering agentic AI workflows for autonomous materials characterization. This project lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and materials science, aiming to build the next generation of AI-powered laboratories—environments in which intelligent agents autonomously formulate hypotheses, run simulations, design and conduct experiments, and analyze multimodal data streams in real time with minimal human intervention. Relevant background: Nature Computational Science, 2024 arXiv:2509.00098 The successful candidate will join a multi-disciplinary team of researchers in machine learning, applied mathematics, signal processing, computational physics, and materials science. The appointee will leverage world-leading experimental and computational resources at Argonne—including supercomputers such as Polaris and Aurora—as well as advanced characterization tools at Argonne and Sandia National Laboratories. Key Responsibilities Develop the core components of an agentic AI system for autonomous materials characterization. Design and implement AI-driven workflows for experiment planning, data acquisition, and analysis. Build infrastructure for message exchange and tool calls to control beamline instruments and run simulations. Integrate AI systems with beamline control frameworks (e.g., EPICS) to enable closed-loop experimentation. Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences. Collaborate with Argonne’s software engineering teams to translate research prototypes into production-ready tools. Position Requirements Ph.D. completed within the past 5 years (or soon to be completed) in a relevant field such as computational physics, materials science, electrical engineering, or computer science. Knowledge of x-ray, optical, or electron physics, including diffraction, optics, detectors, or scattering. Experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, JAX). Familiarity with modern AI concepts, including large language models (LLMs), vision-language models (VLMs), Model Context Protocols (MCPs), and agentic AI tools. Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, Go). Excellent communication and teamwork abilities, with a commitment to Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork. Preferred Qualifications Experience with scientific instrument control systems (e.g., EPICS). Background in developing LLM-based applications using Python APIs. Familiarity with large-scale molecular dynamics simulations (e.g., LAMMPS). Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative software development. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in large, interdisciplinary teams. Employment Details Job Family: Postdoctoral Job Profile: Postdoctoral Appointee Worker Type: Long-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type: Full-time Expected Hiring Range: $70,758 – $117,925 per year (Actual salary will depend on qualifications, responsibilities, and market factors.) This position includes a comprehensive benefits package. Learn more: Argonne Employee Benefits Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Argonne National Laboratory is an equal employment opportunity employer, committed to a safe, inclusive, and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Additional Information Employment is contingent upon a background check. Some positions may require obtaining government access authorization in compliance with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulations. Argonne employees, guest researchers, and contractors are subject to DOE Order 486.1A regarding participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities. For questions or accommodation requests, contact careers@anl.gov or call +1 630-252-2336. About Argonne At Argonne National Laboratory, scientists and engineers conduct world-class research in clean energy, materials science, technology, and national security—transforming scientific discoveries into innovation for a sustainable future. Learn more about Argonne’s research and career opportunities at: Careers at Argonne Science and Technology at Argonne If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Engineeroxy

Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory
Location: Lemont, Illinois, USA (near Chicago)
Application website: https://www.aps.anl.gov/

Position Description

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral position focused on developing and implementing pioneering agentic AI workflows for autonomous materials characterization.

This project lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and materials science, aiming to build the next generation of AI-powered laboratories—environments in which intelligent agents autonomously formulate hypotheses, run simulations, design and conduct experiments, and analyze multimodal data streams in real time with minimal human intervention.

Relevant background:

The successful candidate will join a multi-disciplinary team of researchers in machine learning, applied mathematics, signal processing, computational physics, and materials science. The appointee will leverage world-leading experimental and computational resources at Argonne—including supercomputers such as Polaris and Aurora—as well as advanced characterization tools at Argonne and Sandia National Laboratories.

Key Responsibilities

Develop the core components of an agentic AI system for autonomous materials characterization.
Design and implement AI-driven workflows for experiment planning, data acquisition, and analysis.
Build infrastructure for message exchange and tool calls to control beamline instruments and run simulations.
Integrate AI systems with beamline control frameworks (e.g., EPICS) to enable closed-loop experimentation.
Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.
Collaborate with Argonne’s software engineering teams to translate research prototypes into production-ready tools.

Position Requirements

Ph.D. completed within the past 5 years (or soon to be completed) in a relevant field such as computational physics, materials science, electrical engineering, or computer science.
Knowledge of x-ray, optical, or electron physics, including diffraction, optics, detectors, or scattering.
Experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, JAX).
Familiarity with modern AI concepts, including large language models (LLMs), vision-language models (VLMs), Model Context Protocols (MCPs), and agentic AI tools.
Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, Go).
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities, with a commitment to Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with scientific instrument control systems (e.g., EPICS).
Background in developing LLM-based applications using Python APIs.
Familiarity with large-scale molecular dynamics simulations (e.g., LAMMPS).
Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative software development.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in large, interdisciplinary teams.

Employment Details

Job Family: Postdoctoral
Job Profile: Postdoctoral Appointee
Worker Type: Long-Term (Fixed Term)
Time Type: Full-time
Expected Hiring Range: $70,758 – $117,925 per year
(Actual salary will depend on qualifications, responsibilities, and market factors.)

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package.
Learn more: Argonne Employee Benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Argonne National Laboratory is an equal employment opportunity employer, committed to a safe, inclusive, and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Additional Information

Employment is contingent upon a background check.
Some positions may require obtaining government access authorization in compliance with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulations.
Argonne employees, guest researchers, and contractors are subject to DOE Order 486.1A regarding participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities.
For questions or accommodation requests, contact careers@anl.gov or call +1 630-252-2336.

About Argonne

At Argonne National Laboratory, scientists and engineers conduct world-class research in clean energy, materials science, technology, and national security—transforming scientific discoveries into innovation for a sustainable future.
Learn more about Argonne’s research and career opportunities at: