Postdoctoral Appointee - Critical Minerals Separation

Argonne National Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Separations and Bioprocessing Group. This role focuses on developing and characterizing new materials for critical minerals separations, requiring a recent PhD in related fields.

The candidate will engage in laboratory work to advance ion-selective membranes and will need strong teamwork and communication skills. This position is based on-site at Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, full-time with a commitment to safety and integrity.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of journal publications and patent applications.
• Experience installing, modifying, and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Willingness to follow safety rules.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, and characterize ion‑selective membranes.
• Develop experimental apparatus for novel electrochemical processes.
• Collaborate with team members and adapt to multiple projects simultaneously.

Skills

Team-work oriented

Skilled communication at all organizational levels

Ability to handle hazardous chemicals

Dynamic ability to work on multiple projects

Education

Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science

Tools

Laboratory equipment maintenance

Job description

Overview

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a highly skilled Postdoctoral Researcher to work in the Separations and Bioprocessing Group in the Applied Materials Division (AMD) on developing, designing and characterizing new materials and membranes for critical minerals separations.

The position focuses on laboratory work to advance ion‑selective membranes for critical minerals recovery from dilute feed streams. Candidates should be able to create their own experimental apparatus, solve challenging problems, learn new techniques, and respond quickly to overnight laboratory experiments.

Responsibilities

Design, fabricate, and characterize ion‑selective membranes; develop experimental apparatus for novel electrochemical processes; collaborate with team members and adapt to multiple projects simultaneously.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon‑to‑be‑completed PhD (0‑5 years) in chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science (or equivalent).
• Proven track record of journal publications and patent applications.
• Skilled communication at all organizational levels.
• Team‑work oriented.
• Experience installing, modifying, and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Willingness to follow safety rules.
• Comfortable handling large volumes of hazardous chemicals.
• Dynamic ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
• On‑site presence at Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.
• Quick response to laboratory issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of ion‑selective sorbents and membranes, 2D materials, electrodialysis, and thin‑film composite or hollow‑fiber membrane fabrication.

EEO Statement

As an equal employment opportunity employer, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to any characteristic protected by law.