About Binghamton University
Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.
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Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.
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Job Description
Budget Title: Postdoctoral Associate (SL-1)
Salary: $80,000 (full-time, temporary)
PRODiG+ Fellow: Postdoctoral Associate in Cobalt-Free Cathode Materials for Advanced Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries, Binghamton University, Electrical and Computer Engineering at Binghamton University
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science at Binghamton University invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Associate position through the State University of New York's Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth Plus (PRODiG+) program, beginning in Fall 2027.
The PRODiG+ Fellowship is designed to achieve two primary goals: (1) increase the number and proportion of outstanding and diverse faculty members committed to advancing the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and (2) strengthen pathways for the recruitment, retention, and professional advancement of these candidates. Through this fellowship, Binghamton University seeks to foster an inclusive academic environment that promotes excellence in research, teaching, mentorship, and service.
The fellowship provides a 12-month appointment over a two-year period (Academic Years 2027-2029). The Postdoctoral Associate will receive mentorship and professional development support, with opportunities to strengthen research, teaching, grant-development, and academic leadership skills. The fellowship is intended to support career advancement and prepare the successful candidate for future academic and research opportunities, including potential consideration for a tenure-track faculty position, subject to departmental needs, institutional policies, and applicable appointment procedures. More information about the PRODiG+ Fellowship is available at: https://www.suny.edu/prodig-plus/fellowship/
The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct innovative research at the intersection of advanced battery materials, computational materials science, electrochemical energy storage, and intelligent battery management systems. The research will focus on developing cobalt-free cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, with an emphasis on P2-type layered transition-metal oxides designed to enhance structural stability, electrochemical performance, and long-term durability. A central objective will be to mitigate Jahn-Teller distortions, particularly those associated with Mn³?, through compositional tuning, aliovalent doping, and cation-disorder engineering to improve rate capability and cycling stability. Density functional theory (DFT) and beyond-DFT approaches, including DFT+U and hybrid functionals, will be employed to investigate electronic structure, ion-diffusion pathways, redox mechanisms, and phase stability. Particular attention will be given to suppressing high-voltage-induced structural transformations, including P2-O2 phase transitions and transition-metal slab gliding, which can compromise battery performance and longevity. Complementing atomistic materials design, the research will incorporate advanced battery management system (BMS) strategies to improve battery reliability, safety, and operational performance. These efforts will include artificial intelligence (AI)- and data-driven approaches for state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) estimation, as well as cell-balancing and thermal-management techniques to mitigate degradation and reduce the risk of thermal runaway. The overarching goal is to establish a multiscale research framework that links atomic-scale materials design and electrochemical mechanisms to cell- and pack-level performance, enabling safer, high-rate, durable, and sustainable battery technologies.
As part of a Carnegie R1 research university, the Postdoctoral Associate will work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment that encourages scientific discovery, technological innovation, and collaboration across engineering and related disciplines. The fellow will have opportunities to contribute to externally funded research initiatives, publish in leading peer-reviewed journals, present findings at professional conferences, and develop independent research expertise. The position will also provide opportunities to participate in mentoring, grant development, and other scholarly activities that support long-term career development in academia or industrial research and development.
The successful applicant will be expected to establish an externally funded research program.
Required PRODIG+ Qualifications:
- Be eligible to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship (Note: if you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet the eligibility requirements for this position.)
- Have a PhD/DMA from an accredited institution by the date of appointment
- Demonstrate personal, academic, and/or work experience engaging with diversity, equity, and inclusion and/or a commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Such experience may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/ or populations.
Preference will be given to candidates who are:
- Current SUNY students, alumni, and/or Fellows.
- From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor's degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans.
The PRODiG+ Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or closely related field prior to start of employment (anticipated August 2027)
- Published several high impact journal papers in the battery materials research field
- Developed or been part of a research program in the battery materials field
- Experience in battery material synthesis and characterization
- Strong communication skills
- Strong commitment to teaching and research
Preferred:
- Experience with DFT analysis or AI-based materials analysis or a combination of both
- Experience in proposal writing
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.
Additional Information
Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials
Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.
Payroll information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/
Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee."
Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.
For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit:
https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.html
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.
Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
Application Instructions
All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=206568
Deadline for Internal Applicants:
Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filled
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.
Please submit:
- Letter of application,
- Curriculum vitae (including list of publications)
- Vision for research (3-5 pages),
- Names and contact information for three professional references, and
- An essay responding to the following prompt in 750 words of less: "Please describe how you've engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations."
Applications received by January 15, 2027 will receive full consideration.
You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.
