Computational Electrochemistry and Dielectric Spectroscopy
This research uses computational methods to study electrostatic environments in liquids, interfaces, and nanomaterials for various industries.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $82,764 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship supporting computational research to advance theoretical understanding of electrostatic environments in liquids, interfaces, and nanoscale confinement relevant to chemical manufacturing, water desalination, and nanofluidics.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree earned within the last 5 years; research conducted onsite at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD; requires prior contact with Research Adviser.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity under the NRC Research Associateship Programs focuses on advancing the theoretical understanding of electrostatic environments surrounding complex molecules, ions, electrode surfaces, and nanomaterials. The research is critical for industries such as chemical manufacturing, water desalination, and emerging nanofluidics technologies.
The program encourages proposals employing analytical theory, large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study electrostatic phenomena in:
- Liquid-phase environments
- Solid-liquid interfaces
- Nanoscale confinement (e.g., near nanopores)
Specific research topics of interest include:
- Computational dielectric spectroscopy using DFT and MD
- Properties and effects of the electrochemical double layer on local polarization, structure, and capacitance
- Electrostatic interactions in crown ethers, near metallic electrodes, and around nanopores
- Local dielectric response in nanoscale confinement
Proposals on related topics within the scope of electrochemistry, dielectric spectroscopy, and nanotechnology are also welcome.
The research will be conducted at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Material Measurement Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Division, located in Gaithersburg, MD.
