Postdoc-Critical Minerals and Materials Extraction and Processing

About the role

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in inorganic or materials chemistry/science or chemical engineering who will focus on separation, processing, and characterization of inorganic sorbents/membranes/solvent extraction for critical mineral extraction from brines, minerals, and coal ash. This position resides in the Nanomaterials Chemistry Group in the Separations and Polymer Chemistry Section, Chemical Sciences Division, Physical Sciences Directorate, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Investigate critical material separation from brine and leachate solution individually and in collaboration with research partners.
• Conduct research in developing novel membrane, solvent extraction, and ion exchange processes targeting high capacity and selectivity for the extraction of gallium, graphite and rare earth elements from brine and minerals.
• Conduct research in benchmarking newly developed critical material separation processes relative to the current state of the art.
• Research on magnet recycling and as well as building efficiency materials.
• Test lithium salts recovered from brine solution in lithium-ion or lithium-air batteries - Use multiple types of techniques for characterization and analysis of membranes and composites including X-ray/neutron powder diffraction, electron microscopy and lithium analysis using ICP, NMR, etc.
• Collaborate with ORNL postdocs and staff who are involved in the synthesis and characterization of sorbents and membranes.
• Participate in the development of new ideas and projects.
• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications

• A Ph.D. degree in inorganic or materials chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering or a closely related field, completed within the last 5 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong background in inorganic or materials chemistry or materials physics.
• Experience with extraction and separation of materials.
• Experience in critical mineral extraction and characterization methods.
• A strong track record of productive and creative research proven by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements

• Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Letters of Recommendation

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile

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Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

Other benefits

• Pension Plan
• Retirement Plan
• Disability Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Education Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts