Critical Materials Separation from Produced Waters Postdoctoral Researcher

Search Jobs - INL Professional Careers; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 95,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate position in chemistry, chemical engineering, geochemistry, or related disciplines. You will develop electrophoresis-based separation methods to recover vanadium and other critical metals from produced waters of aging oil and gas wells.

The role involves lab-scale capillary and free-flow electrophoresis, ligand design for high-salinity environments, and scale-up experiments, with collaboration

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, geochemistry, or comparable discipline completed by start date.
• Design and conduct electrophoretic separations of vanadium and other metals from high-salinity produced waters using capillary and free-flow electrophoresis platforms.
• Develop and optimize ligand systems to enhance electrophoretic mobility differences under brine conditions.
• Scale free-flow electrophoretic separation methods to evaluate throughput, purity, yield, and stage design for future field pilots.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets using ICP-MS/OES, chromatography, CE detection modes, and related workflows to validate separation performance.
• Demonstrated oral and published written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute laboratory-scale capillary electrophoresis screening.
• Optimize ligand systems for high-salinity environments.
• Perform scale-up experiments to isolate vanadium and other metals.
• Collaborate with national lab scientists and industry partners.
• Publish manuscripts and present results at conferences and meetings.

Skills

Capillary electrophoresis

Free-flow electrophoresis

ICP-MS

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Geochemistry

Tools

ICP-MS

ICP-OES

Job description

The Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a well-qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate in chemistry, chemical engineering, geochemistry, or comparable discipline for the Mineral & Molecular Separations & Analysis Department. This postdoctoral researcher will focus on developing, optimizing, and scaling electrophoresis-based separation methods for recovering vanadium and other critical materials from high-salinity produced waters associated with aging unconventional oil and gas wells. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of the Energy Innovation Laboratory with every other Friday off.

This role supports INL’s leadership in a multi-institution collaboration with other national labs and industry. The postdoctoral researcher will work directly with their Principal Investigator and integrate closely with INL’s electrophoresis, ligand design, and aqueous separations experts. They will plan and execute laboratory-scale capillary electrophoresis screening, optimize ligand systems for high-salinity environments, and perform free-flow electrophoresis scale-up experiments to isolate vanadium and additional critical metals.

The researcher will collaborate with other national lab scientists supplying produced water feedstocks and will contribute to method development that enables future field pilots.

The candidate is expected to be a strong asset to our interdisciplinary R&D team and work effectively both alone and as a team member. The candidate must be self-motivated but also take direction from other team members and peers.

The position entails writing scientific manuscripts for journal publication, and presentation of research results at national and international conferences and meetings.

Required:

• PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, geochemistry, or comparable disciplines.
• PhD requirements must be completed by commencement of appointment and within the previous 5 years.
• Design and conduct electrophoretic separations of vanadium and other critical metals from high-salinity produced waters using capillary and free-flow electrophoresis platforms.
• Develop and optimize ligand systems capable of enhancing electrophoretic mobility differences between the metals under brine conditions.
• Scale free-flow electrophoretic separation methods to evaluate throughput, purity, yield, and stage design needed for future field pilot operations.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets using ICP-MS/OES, chromatography, CE detection modes, and additional analytical workflows to validate separation performance.
• Demonstrated oral and published written communication skills in English.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Experience with electrophoresis, electrochemical separations, or ion transport phenomena.
• Background in high-salinity aqueous chemistry, brines, or produced water treatment.
• Experience designing ligand systems and understanding of metal-ligand coordination chemistry.
• Ability to work across multi-institution collaborations and communicate effectively with external partners.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment. The employee must occasionally move up to 50 pounds using carts/dollies to move equipment into place. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

• The pay for this position is $105,144.00 Annually. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.