Postdoctoral Associate - RO Membranes

New York University; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

New York University Abu Dhabi is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in RO membranes to advance next-generation polymeric and thin-film composite membranes for Arabian Gulf seawater desalination.

The role involves independent experiments, membrane fabrication, testing, data analysis, documentation, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, with opportunities to publish and contribute to grant proposals.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong experimental background in membrane materials, separation science, polymer engineering, or desalination.
• Evidence of independent scientific productivity through publications or completed projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent experimental research in membrane science, polymer materials, reverse osmosis, and sustainable desalination.
• Develop high-performance polymeric and thin-film composite membranes for Arabian Gulf seawater treatment.
• Design membrane modification strategies to enhance permeability, salt rejection, fouling resistance, chemical stability, and service life.
• Investigate transport, fouling, scaling, and cleaning mechanisms.
• Establish relationships between fabrication conditions, membrane structure, and performance.
• Fabricate membranes using controlled, reproducible laboratory procedures.
• Perform crossflow testing, permeability measurements, salt-rejection analysis, and long-duration evaluations.
• Characterize membrane morphology, chemistry, and mechanical properties.
• Analyze data and compare formulations; prepare manuscripts and contribute to patents and grants.
• Present findings at conferences and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor junior researchers and students; ensure safety and proper documentation.

Skills

Reverse osmosis

Membrane science

Polymeric membranes

Thin-film composite membranes

Membrane fabrication

Membrane modification

Sustainable desalination

Seawater desalination

Membrane fouling

Biofouling

Scaling analysis

Membrane cleaning

Water permeability

Salt rejection

Crossflow testing

Membrane transport

Scanning electron microscopy

Atomic force microscopy

FTIR

Raman spectroscopy

XPS

XRD

Contact angle

Zeta potential

TGA

DSC

Mechanical testing

Porosity measurement

Membrane thickness

Experimental data analysis

Scientific publication

Patent development

Grant writing

Research mentoring

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering

PhD in Chemistry

PhD in Polymer Science

Tools

Scanning electron microscopy

Atomic force microscopy

FTIR spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy

Job description

Job Snapshot

Postdoctoral Associate - RO Membranes
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Higher Education
Function: Research
Experience: Relevant postdoctoral research experience
Job Type: Full-time

Overview

Postdoctoral Associate - RO Membranes in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a Higher Education research opportunity focused on next-generation reverse osmosis membranes for sustainable desalination of Arabian Gulf seawater. New York University Abu Dhabi is hiring an experimental researcher to develop polymeric membrane technologies that improve permeability, salt rejection, fouling resistance, durability, and energy efficiency under high-salinity and high-temperature operating conditions.

Role Context

The Postdoctoral Associate - RO Membranes will join the Water Research Center under the supervision of Dr. Nidal Hilal. The role supports advanced membrane research addressing the demanding characteristics of Arabian Gulf seawater, including elevated salinity, high temperatures, organic and biological fouling, mineral scaling, and intensive cleaning requirements. The researcher will connect fundamental polymer and membrane science with practical desalination technology. Work will cover membrane formulation, thin-film composite development, fabrication, surface modification, structural characterization, crossflow testing, transport analysis, and long-term performance evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent experimental research in membrane science, polymer materials, reverse osmosis, and sustainable desalination.
• Develop high-performance polymeric and thin-film composite membranes for Arabian Gulf seawater treatment.
• Design membrane modification strategies that enhance water permeability, salt rejection, fouling resistance, chemical stability, and service life.
• Investigate transport, concentration polarization, organic fouling, biofouling, scaling, and membrane-cleaning mechanisms.
• Establish relationships between fabrication conditions, membrane structure, surface chemistry, mechanical properties, and desalination performance.
• Fabricate membranes using controlled, reproducible, and environmentally responsible laboratory procedures.
• Perform crossflow testing, permeability measurements, salt-rejection analysis, and long-duration membrane performance evaluations.
• Characterize membrane morphology, chemistry, roughness, charge, hydrophilicity, thermal stability, mechanical strength, porosity, and thickness.
• Use statistical and scientific methods to analyze experimental data, compare formulations, and validate performance improvements.
• Maintain complete laboratory notebooks, test records, sample inventories, equipment logs, and research datasets.
• Prepare manuscripts for leading peer-reviewed journals and contribute to invention disclosures and patent applications.
• Present research findings at international conferences, workshops, seminars, and technical meetings.
• Assist with competitive grant proposals, project reports, literature reviews, and research planning.
• Collaborate with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, engineers, scientists, students, and external industry partners.
• Mentor junior researchers and students in membrane fabrication, experimental methods, characterization, and data interpretation.
• Follow laboratory safety procedures and maintain compliance with institutional research standards.

Ideal Profile

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong experimental background in membrane materials, separation science, polymer engineering, or desalination.
• Evidence of independent scientific productivity through publications, technical outputs, or completed research projects.
• Publication record appropriate to the applicant's career stage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to design experiments, troubleshoot laboratory systems, analyze complex data, and communicate defensible conclusions.
• Capacity to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Hands‑on experience developing or modifying thin-film composite membranes is preferred.
• Knowledge of sustainable membrane fabrication, membrane fouling, biofouling, scaling, or cleaning studies is advantageous.
• Experience with pilot-scale desalination systems, technology translation, or industrial collaboration is desirable.
• Strong attention to laboratory quality, safety, repeatability, and research documentation.
• UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply.

Skills Set

• Reverse osmosis
• Membrane science
• Polymeric membranes
• Thin-film composite membranes
• Membrane fabrication
• Membrane modification
• Sustainable desalination
• Seawater desalination
• Arabian Gulf seawater
• Membrane fouling
• Biofouling
• Scaling analysis
• Membrane cleaning
• Water permeability
• Salt rejection
• Crossflow testing
• Membrane transport
• Scanning electron microscopy
• Atomic force microscopy
• Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
• Raman spectroscopy
• X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• X-ray diffraction
• Contact angle measurement
• Zeta potential analysis
• Thermogravimetric analysis
• Differential scanning calorimetry
• Mechanical testing
• Porosity measurement
• Membrane thickness analysis
• Experimental data analysis
• Scientific publication
• Patent development
• Grant writing
• Research mentoring

Why Join Us

This position offers the opportunity to conduct internationally competitive research on advanced desalination technologies with direct relevance to regional and global water security. The successful candidate will work with modern fabrication, analytical, and membrane-testing facilities while developing specialist expertise in membrane materials, reverse osmosis engineering, and seawater treatment. The appointment also provides opportunities to publish in high-impact journals, contribute to patentable technologies, develop competitive grant‑writing skills, mentor students, and collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams. The role can help the researcher establish a strong international profile in membrane science, desalination, and sustainable water production.

About the Company

New York University Abu Dhabi is a globally connected research university supporting advanced work across engineering, science, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Its Water Research Center develops innovative materials, membrane processes, and desalination technologies designed to improve water security, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability in the UAE and internationally.