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Postdoctoral Research Associate - Bioenergy Separations

Requisition Id 8264 
Overview: 
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.
 
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will support the Chemical Process Scale Up Group in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD), Energy Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  
 
The postdoc will become part of our chemical process separations team that involves on-going collaborations among multiple national laboratories. The successful candidate will conduct research independently but collaboratively in catalyst/membrane materials synthesis and catalytic/separation processes development to enable biomass to biofuels and high-value chemicals. Research will include development of membrane, sorbent, catalyst materials including but not limited to inorganic and/organic materials for enhanced kinetics, selectivity, and overall energy saving.
 
The research spans basic to applied research in bioenergy, transportation, and energy storage programs. The candidate will be expected to work in multi-disciplinary teams. The Chemical Process Science Research Group is a highly collaborative interdisciplinary team of chemical engineers, material scientists, physical and synthetic chemists, and computational modelling working toward net carbon zero fuels through catalytic conversions of biomass and derived intermediates. The postdoc will be encouraged to collaborate with collaborators at other National Laboratories as well as other ORNL researchers and actively present results at team meetings and conferences.
 
Major Duties/Responsibilities: 
  • Responsible for developing and progressing membrane separations and/or sorption: in materials/coating synthesis as well as separation process development
  • Membrane/sorbent materials of interest include polymeric coatings on porous substrates and functionalized resins, hollow fibers and hydrophobic/hydrophilic thin film coating.
  • Participate in aspects of adsorbent development involving chemical synthesis of resins (polymeric/inorganic sorbents and surface functionalization), materials characterizations, and process performance simulations and evaluations
  • Responsible for experiment design and implementation
  • Have expertise in use of common analytical techniques to identify reaction components including GC-MS, NMR, HPLC etc
  • Participate in aspects of chemical process development, including technoeconomic analysis, lifecycle analysis and process scale-up
  • Work with the principal investigator and others as a team player to maintain a high level of scientific productivity and to meet project/task milestones
  • Responsible for preparing, presenting, and reporting research results and publishing scientific results in key peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner
  • Work with the principal investigator as necessary in developing new ideas and extended proposals beyond the scope of currently sponsored project(s)
  • Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements
  • Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics
 
Basic Qualifications:
  • A PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry (polymer, organic synthetic), materials science and engineering, biochemical engineering, or a related field completed within the last 5 years
 
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Strong background and interest in separations involving membranes, adsorbents, molecularly selective extractions, coatings for dewatering and CO2 separations
  • Familiarity with biomass and CO2 conversion and upgrading pathways of biomass to fuels and chemicals, as well as the associated separation needs
  • Hands-on experience in membrane fabrication (polymeric, and composites), characterization, and experimental evaluations (liquid and gas phase)
  • Ability to analyze organic compounds by analytical instruments such as GC, HPLC, NMR etc.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience
  • Capable of conducting creative research independently with minimal supervision
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and interact effectively with a broad range of colleagues
  • Ability to function well in a dynamic research environment, set priorities to accomplish tasks on time, and adapt to ever-changing needs
  • An excellent record of productive and creative research demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience
  • Capable of conducting creative research independently with minimal supervision
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and interact effectively with a broad range of colleagues
  • Ability to function well in a dynamic research environment, set priorities to accomplish tasks on time, and adapt to ever-changing needs
  • Familiarity with advanced electron microscopy and related nanoscale characterization tools for microporous and dense materials and structures for in-depth material chemistry and nanostructure analysis
  • Knowledge in separation process Aspen modeling and molecular computation simulation is a plus
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory 
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs
 
Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.
 
Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:
  • Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
  • View Profile
  • Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document
 
Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.
 
Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at jobs.ornl.gov.
 
 
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.