Description

Overview:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in inorganic or materials chemistry/science or chemical engineer 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).

This METALLIC (Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Facility) project will develop materials and processing technologies that will result in a transformational improvement in gallium and Germanium and rare earth magnetic material extraction methods from naturally occurring concentrated brines, coal and coal ash, minerals and recycled magnets and batteries. Success will enable a fundamental shift in the domestic critical material supply curve while advancing Critical Materials Consortium capabilities in materials extraction from alternative resources—both vital to U.S. economic and energy security goals. This incumbent will work in close collaboration with other researchers from chemical sciences division, manufacturing science division and building and transportation science division. This project will develop materials and processing technologies that will result in a transformational improvement in extraction methods and gallium/graphite/rare earth element extraction.

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:

Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
View Profile
Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document
 

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.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, 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 instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. 

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.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.