Postdoc: Advanced Calibration for Critical Minerals

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Post-Doctoral Researcher to support calibration methods for critical minerals and materials in collaboration with the NIST PREP program. You will develop LA and solution-based ICP-MS calibration methods, prepare samples, and design robust experiments to quantify metals in complex feeds such as battery black mass and electronic scrap, reporting findings for publications.

U.S. Citizens Only.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience with acid digestions, and trace element quantification is required; fundamental knowledge about plasma source mass spectrometry and LA-ICP-MS is desirable (> 3yrs).
• Excellent written/oral communication; track record of meeting milestones in multidisciplinary teams; demonstrated first author publications.
• Must be comfortable working with caustic and corrosive chemicals and working in a laboratory that maintains strict clean sample preparation protocols ensuring low blanks and cross contamination.
• Familiarity with metal extraction and preservation chemistry, Li battery chemistry, rare earth and toxic metals analyses.

Responsibilities

• Method Development: Develop LA and solution-based ICP-MS calibration methods for quantification of critical and toxic metals in complex industrial materials and feedstocks.
• Sample Preparation: Prepare sample pellets for LA calibration and analysis; perform microwave-assisted acid digestions of complex secondary materials (e.g., black mass, e-scrap) and associated reference materials.
• Experimental Design, Instrumental Analysis and Data Collection: Design sound experiments; Optimize and run ICP-MS instrumentation and couplings; interpret complex datasets; develop and apply high accuracy calibration schemes.
• Communication: Prepare findings for peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and oral presentations. Deliverables to include internal Reports of Analysis.

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Post-Doctoral Researcher to support calibration methods for critical minerals and materials in collaboration with the NIST PREP program. You will develop LA and solution-based ICP-MS calibration methods, prepare samples, and design robust experiments to quantify metals in complex feeds such as battery black mass and electronic scrap, reporting findings for publications.

U.S. Citizens Only.