Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI Catalysis

NU USA Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University in Boston invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will design and conduct experimental heterogeneous-catalysis research within autonomous, closed-loop lab workflows.

The role integrates catalyst synthesis, high-throughput reactor testing, and in situ characterization with machine-learning methods to accelerate discovery of catalytic materials for energy and sustainability.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of heterogeneous catalysis, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and structure–reactivity relationships.
• Ability to design and operate catalytic reactors.
• Ability to synthesize and characterize catalysts.
• Proficiency in Python programming.
• Ability to apply machine-learning methods to scientific data.
• Ability to work independently and across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and test heterogeneous catalysts (e.g., supported metals, oxides, single-atom systems, and high-entropy metal alloy systems) and operate catalytic reactors to measure activity, selectivity, and kinetics for targeted thermo- and/or electrocatalytic reactions.
• Develop and run closed-loop autonomous workflows that couple automated synthesis, high-throughput screening, and online/in situ characterization with active-learning and Bayesian-optimization pipelines to guide experiment selection.
• Build agentic artificial intelligence (AI) workflows and FAIR experimental data infrastructure for instrument orchestration, automated data curation, and autonomous hypothesis generation linking synthesis, characterization, and performance.
• Analyze experimental and characterization data to extract structure–reactivity relationships and connect empirical findings to mechanistic and kinetic interpretation.
• Disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations, contribute to proposals and reports, and help mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers and steward shared instrumentation.

Skills

Python programming

Machine learning

Heterogeneous catalysis

Independent work

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science

Tools

Catalyst synthesis

High-throughput reactor testing

Job description

About the Opportunity Job Summary

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the Postdoctoral Research Associate designs and conducts experimental heterogeneous-catalysis research within autonomous, closed-loop (“self-driving”) laboratory workflows. The role integrates catalyst synthesis, high-throughput reactor testing, and in situ/operando characterization with machine-learning and agentic artificial intelligence (AI) methods that propose, prioritize, and interpret experiments, accelerating the discovery and optimization of catalytic materials for energy and sustainability applications. The position contributes to scholarly publications, sponsored-research deliverables, and the training of graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field
• Knowledge of heterogeneous catalysis, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and structure–reactivity relationships
• Ability to design and operate catalytic reactors
• Ability to synthesize and characterize catalysts
• Proficiency in Python programming
• Ability to apply machine-learning methods to scientific data
• Ability to work independently and across disciplines

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Design, synthesize, and test heterogeneous catalysts (e.g., supported metals, oxides, single-atom systems, and high-entropy metal alloy systems) and operate catalytic reactors to measure activity, selectivity, and kinetics for targeted thermo- and/or electrocatalytic reactions
• Develop and run closed-loop autonomous workflows that couple automated synthesis, high-throughput screening, and online/in situ characterization with active-learning and Bayesian-optimization pipelines to guide experiment selection
• Build agentic artificial intelligence (AI) workflows and FAIR experimental data infrastructure for instrument orchestration, automated data curation, and autonomous hypothesis generation linking synthesis, characterization, and performance
• Analyze experimental and characterization data to extract structure–reactivity relationships and connect empirical findings to mechanistic and kinetic interpretation
• Disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations, contribute to proposals and reports, and help mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers and steward shared instrumentation

Required Documents Resume

Resume

Position Type Research

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation

Grade/Pay Type: 108S Expected Hiring Range: $60,315.00 - $85,192.50 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.