Postdoctoral Research Associate - Advanced Separation and Purification

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate to focus on membrane and sorbent materials and processes for advanced separations and purification applications. This position resides in the Soft Materials and Membranes Group in the Chemical Sciences Division, Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

About the role

As part of our team, you will work on developing energy-efficient and cost-effective materials and processes for energy applications. The successful candidate will focus on problems related to the separation and recovery of critical materials, gas separation, and biomass-based chemical and fuel precursors. You will be responsible for developing new ideas, building collaborations within and outside ORNL, and executing projects from the idea stage to generating quantifiable outcomes such as publications and invention disclosures.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to advance separation science and technologies for energy applications.
• Support research and program-development activities in advanced separation and purification, including the recovery of critical materials used in magnets, batteries, and semiconductors from mined resources and electronic waste, as well as separations for bioenergy applications.
• Develop new research directions and contribute to proposals for external funding.
• Communicate research findings through technical reports, conference presentations, and timely publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Prepare invention disclosures and contribute to patent applications, as appropriate.
• Comply with applicable environmental, safety, health, and quality requirements.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical conduct and ORNL’s organizational values.

Requirements

• A PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, environmental science and engineering, materials science and engineering, or a related field completed within the last 5 years.

Qualifications

• A strong foundation in separation and purification science, materials chemistry and engineering, polymer chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Hands-on experience designing, synthesizing, fabricating, characterizing, and evaluating materials for separation applications.
• Research experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Membrane- or sorbent-based separation and purification;
  • Hollow-fiber or spiral-wound membrane-module fabrication and membrane-process scale-up;
  • Filtration, solvent or liquid-liquid extraction, solid-liquid or gas-liquid separation, membrane contactors, adsorption, or packed-column systems;
  • Extraction, separation, and purification of critical materials, including rare-earth elements and materials used in semiconductor and battery technologies; or
  • Separation technologies for bioenergy applications.
• A record of productive and creative research demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, patents, or other relevant research outputs.
• 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

A Real ID-compliant form of identification will be required. All employees must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation. This includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year (marijuana and cannabis derivatives are included, regardless of state laws).

For foreign national candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential.

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, subject to performance and availability of funding.

Three letters of reference are required when applying for this position.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits programs.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and Contributory Pension Plan.
• Life insurance and disability benefits.
• Generous vacation, holidays, and parental leave.
• Legal insurance with identity theft protection.
• Employee Assistance Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts.
• Wellness programs.
• Educational assistance and relocation assistance.
• Employee discounts.
• On-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities.
• Flexible work hours.