Postdoctoral Appointee – Materials Science

Location: Lemont, IL USA

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

The Applied Materials Division (AMD) at Argonne National Laboratory is looking to hire a Postdoctoral Appointee – Materials Science. The Applied Materials Division conducts applied research to develop innovative technologies to improve the efficiency of resource utilization; to minimize our dependence on imported materials; and to enhance our national security.

This position is broadly focused on securing a domestic supply chain for critical materials, such as graphite. This candidate will join a team developing and testing material beneficiation, leaching, and separation unit operations for carbon-based feedstocks. The candidate should have a good understanding of mineral processing, leaching, separation and characterization techniques. The project will involve R&D of different beneficiation, leaching, and separation technologies as well as pilot plant equipment installation and operation. The main research focus will be on valorizing waste products from coal mining or production, including coal fines or slurries, to produce graphite precursor materials. The beneficiation work will likely include processes such as froth flotation and gravity separation while separation efforts may involve leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, electrodialysis, membrane separation, and crystallization or precipitation.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in geology, earth sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials engineering (those with other degrees but have similar skills to those listed will be considered).

• Experience in beneficiation of minerals or materials, leaching, and separation technologies is desirable.

• Skilled oral and written communication skills at all levels of the organization.

• Proven track record showing the ability to carry out independent and collaborative research in a multidisciplinary team while meeting project deliverables and milestones.

• Highly self-motivated candidate who demonstrates creative and proactive approaches towards scientific problem solving as evidenced by publications and recommendations.

• Skilled in installing, modifying, and maintaining equipment.

• Ability to enforce and abide by safety rules.

• Ability to work with large volumes of hazardous chemicals.

• Flexibility to change projects and work on a variety of projects simultaneously.

• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

• This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.

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Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.