Postdoctoral Appointee – Hydrometallurgical Process Engineering and Chemical Separations

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory's Chemical and Fuel Cycle Technologies Division seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee to advance research in chemical process engineering, separations, and process intensification for recovering critical materials from feedstocks.

You will design and operate experimental systems, oversee bench- and pilot-scale testing, and collaborate with chemists, engineers, data scientists, and external partners to deliver data-driven process improvements and publish results.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a closely related discipline completed in the past 5 years or soon-to-be completed.
• Knowledge and experience in experimental research involving chemical or process systems.
• Familiarity with process instrumentation, sensors, controls, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience with programming or analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute independent research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Record of publications, presentations, or other technical outputs commensurate with career stage.
• Ability to model.
• Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Responsibilities

• Design, assemble, operate, and troubleshoot bench- and pilot-scale chemical process equipment.
• Plan and execute experiments related to separation processes, fluid handling, and process intensification.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data to assess process performance, stability, and scale-up considerations.
• Support development of process documentation, including test plans, operating procedures, and technical reports.
• Contribute to integration of instrumentation, controls, and data acquisition systems for experimental platforms.
• Work with aqueous and organic chemical systems and support characterization of process streams.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including chemists, engineers, data scientists, and external project partners.
• Present results in internal reviews, sponsor meetings, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safe work practices and compliance with laboratory requirements.
• Contributes to the development of white papers and proposals seeking support from existing and new research sponsors

Skills

Independent research

Strong communication

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Mining Engineering or related

Tools

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

The Chemical and Fuel Cycle Technologies Division is seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to conduct research in chemical process engineering, separations, and process intensification for recovery of critical materials from primary and secondary feedstocks. Responsibilities may include designing, constructing, and operating new experimental systems; supporting bench- and pilot-scale testing of hydrometallurgical processes such as leaching, solvent (liquid-liquid) extraction, and adsorption; evaluating process performance and operability; developing test plans and standard operating procedures; assisting with data analysis and technical documentation; and contributing to publications, reports, and sponsor deliverables. The successful candidate will work closely with staff researchers and technical teams and will be expected to contribute to a safe, collaborative, and results-oriented research environment. The work will emphasize process engineering, experimental systems, and data-driven evaluation of process performance, with opportunities to collaborate with scientists, engineers, and external partners across national laboratory, university, and industrial settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, assemble, operate, and troubleshoot bench- and pilot-scale chemical process equipment
• Plan and execute experiments related to separation processes, fluid handling, and process intensification
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data to assess process performance, stability, and scale-up considerations
• Support development of process documentation, including test plans, operating procedures, and technical reports
• Contribute to integration of instrumentation, controls, and data acquisition systems for experimental platforms
• Work with aqueous and organic chemical systems and support characterization of process streams
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including chemists, engineers, data scientists, and external project partners
• Present results in internal reviews, sponsor meetings, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications
• Maintain a strong commitment to safe work practices and compliance with laboratory requirements
• Contributes to the development of white papers and proposals seeking support from existing and new research sponsors

Position Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a closely related discipline completed in the past 5 years or soon-to-be completed
• Knowledge and experience in experimental research involving chemical or process systems
• Familiarity with process instrumentation, sensors, controls, or data acquisition systems
• Experience with one or more programming or analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar platforms
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute independent research
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Record of publications, presentations, or other technical outputs commensurate with career stage
• Ability to model
• Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Experience with inorganic chemical separation processes such as solvent extraction, adsorption, ion exchange, or related unit operations preferred but not required
• Knowledge and experience in aqueous lanthanide/rare earth chemistry preferred but not required
• Experience with rotating mechanical equipment preferred but not required

Job Family Postdoctoral Job Profile Postdoctoral Appointee Worker Type Long-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department. All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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