Postdoctoral Appointee – Chemical Recycling of Polymers

About the role

Join the Polymer Upcycling Team in the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division at Argonne National Laboratory. In this role, you will contribute to a collaborative, multidisciplinary research program focused on the chemical recycling of polymers and organometallic catalysis. You will work alongside scientists with diverse expertise to design, synthesize, and characterize new recyclable polymer systems, while evaluating their thermomechanical properties. The position also offers the opportunity to investigate catalytic reaction mechanisms through reaction kinetics and complementary physical organic and inorganic chemistry approaches.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize new recyclable polymers
• Evaluate the thermomechanical properties of polymeric materials
• Conduct research on chemical recycling processes and organometallic catalysis
• Perform mechanistic studies using reaction kinetics analysis and related physical organic and inorganic techniques
• Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research team
• Communicate research findings clearly through written reports, presentations, and publications

Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in Polymer Science, Organic Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, or a closely related field
• Experience in scientific application knowledge and practical laboratory experience
• Demonstrated experience in the synthesis and characterization of highly air-sensitive transition metal complexes
• Experience in the synthesis of polymeric materials
• Strong understanding of kinetics and thermodynamics as they relate to catalysis
• Experience designing, conducting, and interpreting experiments to investigate catalytic reaction mechanisms
• Proficiency in written and verbal scientific communication
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), rheology, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. View Argonne employee benefits.

Pay

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Worker Type: Long-Term (Fixed Term)
Time Type: Full time