Postdoctoral Appointee: Separations

argonne; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois, seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee to support development of advanced processes for recovery of critical materials from unconventional sources. The role involves designing experiments, developing slurry-based processing methods, and supporting bench-scale system construction and operation.

You will analyze transport and reaction behavior, contribute to reports and publications, and collaborate with Argonne researchers and external partners in a

Qualifications

• Recent or soon‑to‑be‑completed PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or related field.
• Knowledge in hydrometallurgical chemistry and critical materials recovery.
• Experience with analytical tools such as X-ray diffraction, SEM/TEM, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy.
• Ability to conduct independent and collaborative research in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• On-site presence at Argonne campus in Lemont, IL, five days per week.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments.
• Develop slurry-based processing methodologies.
• Support construction and operation of bench-scale systems.
• Analyze transport and reaction behavior.
• Contribute to reports, publications, and future proposals.

Skills

Hydrometallurgical chemistry

Critical materials recovery

Separations science

Heating technologies

X-ray diffraction

SEM/TEM

FTIR

Raman spectroscopy

Scientific communication

Team collaboration

Safety

Education

PhD in chemistry/chemical engineering/materials science

Tools

X-ray diffraction

SEM/TEM

FTIR

Raman spectroscopy

Job description

Argonne National Laboratory in the Applied Materials Division (AMD) is seeking a Postdoctoral candidate to support development of advanced processes for critical materials recovery from unconventional sources. The successful candidate will work on a project focused on integrating selective heating with continuous hydrometallurgical processing, for recovery of critical materials relevant to energy innovation.

The postdoctoral researcher will design and conduct experiments, develop slurry-based processing methodologies, support construction and operation of bench‑scale systems, analyze transport and reaction behavior, and contribute to reports, publications, and future proposals. This position offers the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team at the Materials Engineering Research Facility (MERF), in collaboration with Argonne researchers and external partners from industry and academia.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon‑to‑be‑completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or related field.
• Knowledge and hands‑on experience in the following areas: hydrometallurgical chemistry, critical materials recovery, separations science, heating technologies.
• Experience with analytical tools such as X‑ray diffraction, SEM/TEM, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy.
• Ability to conduct both independent and collaborative research in a multidisciplinary environment
• Ability to communicate effectively and on a timely basis with the laboratory supervisory personnel on all developments or matters resulting from laboratory work activities.
• Ability to maintain organized notebooks and project files.
• Proven ability to be an excellent team player.
• A high commitment to safety.
• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
• This position requires an on‑site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.

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.