Postdoctoral Scholar, Chemical Engineering

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Atlantic Mine (MI); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University in Houghton invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in hydrometallurgical refining and lithium-ion battery recycling. The successful candidate will contribute to externally funded research focusing on hydrometallurgical processing of mine tailings and recycled battery materials, with bench- and pilot-scale work.

Join an interdisciplinary team at the interface of mineral processing and process scale-up, mentoring students and supporting safety

Qualifications

• PhD in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated graduate-level or professional research experience in hydrometallurgy or mineral processing.
• Experience designing experiments, collecting data, and publishing results.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct lab- and pilot-scale hydrometallurgical experiments.
• Develop unit operations such as leaching and solvent extraction.
• Establish mass balances and analyze scale-up data.
• Prepare manuscripts and sponsor reports.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Skills

Publish research findings

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Safety practices

Education

PhD in Metallurgical/ Chemical/ Mining Eng or related

Tools

XRD

SEM-EDS

FTIR

Job description

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological researchuniversity founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus issituated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic UpperPeninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the bestuniversities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’sflagship technological university offers more than 185 and degree programs. Researchfocus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive,environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-roundrecreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, andpaddling. The University is an integral part of the region,supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride inbeing a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense ofadventure, and originality.

Summary

Prof. Lei Pan’s research group at Michigan Technological University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in hydrometallurgical refining and lithium-ion batteryrecycling.

The successful candidate will contribute to externally fundedresearch focused on the hydrometallurgical processing of minetailing and recycled battery materials. The position will focus onboth bench-scale work and pilot-scale validation.

This postdoctoral researcher will work in an interdisciplinary team at the interface of mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, andprocess scale-up.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• 1. Design and conduct laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments inhydrometallurgical operation.
• 2. Develop and optimize unit operations such as physicalseparation, leaching, impurity removal, solvent extraction, ionexchange, precipitation, crystallization, filtration, and productpurification.
• 3. Establish mass balances, evaluate process kinetics andselectivity, analyze scaleup data, and support techno-economic andsustainability assessments when appropriate.
• 4. Characterize feed materials, intermediates, and products usingappropriate analytical tools, such as, XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, particlesize analysis, and others.
• 5. Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, technicalreports for sponsors, presentations, and contributions to newresearch proposals.
• 6. Mentor and supervise both graduate students and undergraduateresearchers working on related projects.
• 7. Support day-to-day project management, including planningexperiments, coordinating laboratory resources, documenting data,and communicating progress to the PI and project team.
• 8. Maintain a strong safety record by following universitypolicies, developing and updating SOPs, conducting riskassessments, and promoting a positive safety culture in thelaboratory and pilot facilities.9. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies andapplying them to everyday work. Actively engage in Universitycontinuous improvement initiatives.
• 10. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices toeveryday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• PhD in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, MiningEngineering, Materials Science and Engineering, EnvironmentalEngineering, or a closely related field. Candidates must havecompleted all PhD requirements by the appointment start date.

Required Experience

• Demonstrated graduate-level or professional research experiencein hydrometallurgy, and/or mineral processing, or closely relateddomains.
• Hands-on experience designing experiments, collecting andanalyzing data, and interpreting results for publication-qualityresearch.
• Experience working safely with chemical processes, laboratoryequipment, and research documentation in a laboratory orpilot-scale environment.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Research experience in lithium-ion battery recycling,nickel/cobalt refining, or primary nickel ore processing.
• Experience with bench- or pilot-scale hydrometallurgical systems,including leaching, solid-liquid separation, ion exchange, solventextraction, precipitation, crystallization, orelectrowinning.
• Prior postdoctoral, industrial, national laboratory, orexternally funded project experience is beneficial but notrequired.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journalsand communicate technical results clearly in written and oralformats.
• Ability to publish research findings in the field of criticalmineral processing and relevant fields.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to amultidisciplinary research team.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple experimental tasks and deadlines.
• Commitment to laboratory safety, responsible conduct of research,and mentoring of students in safe research practices.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Experience with advanced characterization methods such as S-TEM,TGA/DSC.
• Familiarity with process simulation software, mass-balancecalculations, kinetic modeling, statistical analysis, ordata-driven process optimization.
• Demonstrated record of high-quality publications, proposalcontributions, sponsor reporting, or student mentoring.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to,working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds andviewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

• Work will be performed in office, laboratory, and pilot-scaleresearch settings. The work environment may include routine use ofchemical fume hoods, reactors, filtration equipment, pumps,analytical instruments, and pilot-scale processing equipment.
• The position may require standing for extended periods, handlinglaboratory samples and chemicals, lifting or moving researchmaterials within safe limits, wearing appropriate personalprotective equipment, and following all applicable laboratorysafety procedures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enableindividuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training

• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performedand the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Pay Rate/Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $60,000 . The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Associate Professor

Posting Type

Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

Yes

Additional Information

This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before October 31, 2026

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the HumanResources office at 906-487-2280 or [e-mail].

Other Conditions of Employment: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effectivedate of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal OpportunityEducational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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