Postdoctoral Research Associate - Alternative Fuels

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

Job summary

Northeastern University in Boston seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to design and conduct research advancing alternative fuels and energy-innovation technologies. The role spans catalyst and reactor development, process-scale considerations, and techno-economic assessment, with responsibilities for training graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Under PI direction, you will contribute to publications and sponsored-research deliverables while developing low-carbon fuel pathways from

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or closely related field.
• Knowledge of catalysis, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and reactor/reaction engineering.
• Ability to design and operate catalytic and/or electrocatalytic reactors.
• Ability to synthesize and characterize materials.
• Ability to model and analyze process performance.
• Proficiency in Python or an equivalent programming language.
• Ability to work independently and across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Develop catalytic and/or electrocatalytic routes and materials for alternative-fuel production, including synthesis, testing, and kinetic measurement.
• Design, build, and operate bench- and laboratory-scale reactors and energy-conversion testbeds, evaluating activity, selectivity, stability, and energy efficiency.
• Develop reaction and reactor models and conduct techno-economic and life-cycle analyses to guide scalable, low-carbon fuel pathways.
• Characterize materials and analyze performance data to establish structure–performance relationships.
• Disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations; mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Skills

Catalysis knowledge

Reaction kinetics

Python programming

Independent work

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science

Tools

Bench reactors

Job description

About the Opportunity Job Summary

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the Postdoctoral Research Associate designs and conducts research developing alternative fuels and advancing energy-innovation technologies. Applying catalysis and reaction-engineering approaches, the role targets low-carbon fuel pathways—such as hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic and electro-fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, and fuels derived from biomass, waste plastics, or carbon dioxide (CO₂)—spanning catalyst and process development, reactor design and scale-up, and performance and techno-economic assessment. 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 catalysis, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and reactor/reaction engineering relevant to fuel synthesis and energy conversion
• Ability to design and operate catalytic and/or electrocatalytic reactors
• Ability to synthesize and characterize materials
• Ability to model and analyze process performance
• Proficiency in Python or an equivalent programming language
• Ability to work independently and across disciplines

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Develop catalytic and/or electrocatalytic routes and materials for alternative-fuel production (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia, electro-fuels, and CO₂- or biomass-derived fuels), including synthesis, testing, and kinetic measurement
• Design, build, and operate bench- and laboratory-scale reactors and energy-conversion testbeds, evaluating activity, selectivity, stability, and energy efficiency under realistic operating conditions
• Develop reaction and reactor models and conduct process analysis, including techno-economic and life-cycle assessment, to guide designs toward scalable, low-carbon fuel pathways
• Characterize materials and analyze performance data to establish structure–performance and process–performance relationships
• 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

Position Type Research Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. 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—including 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.