Postdoctoral Researcher – Reaction Engineering for Biorefining

About the role

The RRES Center at NLR has an opening for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Chemical Catalysis and Reaction Engineering group. Our group is conducting research to enable cost-effective processes for biomass and waste feedstock conversion and chemical recycling of waste plastics. This position focuses on reaction engineering for the fractionation of biomass into polysaccharide-rich pulps and lignin- and extractives-rich oils, with an aim to improve the atom economy of existing pulping infrastructure through new process technology development.

Responsibilities

• Reaction engineering efforts to enable facile biomass fractionation processes, ideally in existing or retrofitted kraft pulping systems, and downstream fractionation of the solid and liquid products.
• Collaborate with a large, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team.
• Design, build, and safely operate novel reactor systems.
• Perform lignin oxidation catalysis, reaction engineering, and catalyst and process design.
• Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats.
• Author peer-reviewed publications.
• Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers and chemists.

Requirements

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Demonstrated experience in reaction engineering.
• Understanding of transport phenomena in complex reactor systems.
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with biomass conversion including lignin.
• Expert in reaction engineering related to biorefining or processes containing complex solids.
• Experience in lignin chemistry and catalytic depolymerization.
• Downstream processing / separations experience.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience with analytical measurement techniques (e.g. GC-MS).

Skills

• Safe laboratory work.
• New techniques and protocols.
• Research planning and execution.
• Catalyst and process design.
• Effective communication of scientific results.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• Pension benefits.
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
• Personal time off (PTO) and sick leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Performance-, merit-, and achievement-based awards.
• Relocation expense reimbursement (eligibility varies).

Pay

Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400

Schedule

Hours Per Week: 40