Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electrochemical Engineering

Iowa State University - College of Design; United States; On-site; USD 59,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University – College of Design invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electrochemical Engineering to contribute to NOx electrooxidation and electrolyzer development under a DARPA program. The successful candidate will design and test carbon-based electrodes, reactors, and analytical methods to advance nitrate and nitric acid production, collaborating across teams.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Strong background in electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, materials synthesis, and characterization.
• Experience synthesizing and characterizing carbon-based electrodes and catalysts.
• Experience evaluating electrochemical reactions in flow-cell systems.
• Ability to optimize electrode structure and reaction environments to improve product yield.
• Experience with analytical techniques such as NMR, UV-Vis, HPLC-MS, GC-MS, and/or DEMS.

Responsibilities

• Support research on NOx electrooxidation and electrolyzer development under the DARPA program.
• Advance electrochemical technologies through catalyst and electrode development, reactor design, and optimization.
• Quantify products and evaluate reaction outcomes using analytical methods listed above.
• Synthesize and characterize carbon-based electrodes and catalysts for performance testing in flow cells.
• Optimize electrode architecture and reaction environments to enhance nitrate and nitric acid production.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Electrocatalysis

Materials synthesis

Characterization

Flow-cell systems

NMR

UV-Vis

HPLC-MS

GC-MS

DEMS

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or closely related field

Tools

Flow-cell systems

NMR

UV-Vis

HPLC-MS

GC-MS

DEMS

Job description

Position Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electrochemical Engineering

Appointment Type

Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support research focused on NOx electrooxidation and electrolyzer development as part of the DARPA program. The successful candidate will advance innovative electrochemical technologies through catalyst and electrode development, reactor design and optimization, and analytical evaluation of reaction products to enhance nitrate and nitric acid production processes. The research will involve synthesizing and characterizing carbon-based electrodes and catalysts, evaluating electrochemical reactions in flow-cell systems, optimizing electrode structure and reaction environments to improve product yield, and performing product quantification using analytical techniques such as NMR, UV-Vis, HPLC-MS, GC-MS, and DEMS. The successful candidate will be a self-motivated researcher with a strong desire to pursue scientific and technical breakthroughs, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, materials synthesis, and characterization.
• Experience synthesizing and characterizing carbon-based electrodes and catalysts.
• Experience evaluating electrochemical reactions in flow-cell systems.
• Ability to optimize electrode structure and reaction environments to improve product yield.
• Experience with analytical techniques such as NMR, UV-Vis, HPLC-MS, GC-MS, and/or DEMS.

Department/Program & College Description

This is where you can impact the world in countless ways – because chemical engineering is involved with nearly every aspect of your life. Foods. Fuels. Renewable energy. Consumer products of all kinds. Medical and health care technology, and more. Discover how many ways your career in the making can start here!

Why Choose Iowa State University?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work.

Company Culture

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land‑grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land‑grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

Start Date

Proposed Start Date: January 1, 2027

Employment Details

Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12

Month Work Period Time Type: Full time

Pay Grade: Post Docs

Original Posting Date: October 6, 2026

Posting Close Date: October 20, 2026

Job Requisition Number: R20055

Equal Opportunity Statement

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Equal Opportunity Contact

Inquiries regarding non‑discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone].

Compensation Information

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

Employment Conditions

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.