Chemical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Associate

Idaho National Laboratory and our Mineral and Molecular Separations and Analysis Department is hiring creative and innovative early-career science investigators to engage with a nationally recognized team of research scientists pursuing development of critical materials separations technologies. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off.

You will join a competitive, multi-disciplinary team that is currently funded to pursue critical materials Research & Development through INL, Department of Energy and Department of Defense programs with R&D efforts ranging from fundamental to applied separations science and engineering.

Project Areas Include

• Study of advanced electrochemical separations processes.
• Study of redox reactions of advanced metal leaching and dissolution from environmental media and eWaste.
• Metallization mechanisms and reactions in non-aqueous electrolytes.
• Electrophoretics for separations, Magnetoelectrophoretics, pyroelectrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, chromatography, solvometallurgy, membrane solvent extraction, ion exchange, advanced beneficiation methodologies, development of novel solvent extraction contactors, next generation metal extraction ligands, Development of advanced porous sorbent materials, Crystallization, Hybrid techniques... and MORE!
  
  

Successful candidates will be mentored and trained how to ideate and mature ideas to a competitive level within a National Laboratory system, how to identify and capture funding, how to craft winning research proposals, research execution strategies, and how to publish for maximum audience impact. Jump-start your research career with a research team that is advancing separations sciences across the entire list of critical materials and publishing research results in high-impact factor journals.

Candidates applying for this postdoctoral research position may have skills in any of the above-mentioned discipline areas. Experience in multiple areas such as electrochemistry and chromatography by way of example is highly desirable. Ability to think outside the box and not be bound by conventional paradigms is preferable.

The candidate is expected to be a strong asset to our interdisciplinary R&D team and to work effectively either alone or as a team member. The candidate must be self-motivated but also take direction from other team members and peers.

The position involves pursuing funding opportunities, research execution, and publishing/presenting results at national and international conferences and meetings or in peer-reviewed journals.

Minimum Requirements

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or other related Physical Sciences fields.
• PhD requirements must be completed by commencement of appointment and within the previous 5 years.
• Demonstrated oral and published written communication skills in English.
• Proven technical and interpersonal communication skills as evidenced by a growing publication.
• A developing publication record in the field of required expertise.
• Hands-on Experimental or modeling experience with one or more of the separations techniques (ie. membranes, solvent extraction, ion exchange, chromatography, crystallization, Solvometallurgy, electrochemistry, or electrophoretics).
• Demonstrated record of working safely in chemistry laboratories (for hands-on researchers).
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Strong motivation and ability to work independently.
• Organizational skills, ability to plan and organize one’s schedule to accomplish experiment activities in order to meet assignments and program milestones.
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity and experience in lanthanide and/or actinide chemistry, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, or separations methodologies
• Or, familiarity and experience in electrochemistry, amperometry, impedance spectroscopy, coulometry, voltammetry, electrorefining,
• Or, familiarity and experience in electrophoresis, or magnetic separations for metals,
• Or, familiarity and experience in chromatographic separations including gas/liquid/supercritical fluid, or ion exchange for metals separation,
• Or, familiarity and experience in solvent extraction, hydrometallurgy, solvometallurgy, ligand synthesis, MOF’s, COF’s, ionic liquids, or absorbents for metals separation,
• Skills in analytical chemistry for detection/analysis of metals is strongly desired, especially where processing of environmental media and similar matrices are of concern. Skills in environmental substrate deconvolution, dissolution, or use of fusion salts is strongly desired.
  
  

Job Information

• The target salary for this position is $101,196.00 Annually. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.
  
  

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Access and ability to self-contribute to 401(k)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.
  
  

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 5,000 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and development technologies that underpin the nation’s nuclear and renewable energy, national security, and environmental missions.

INL Mission

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision

Our vision is to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.

Primary Location

US-ID-Idaho Falls

Job

Postdoc

Organization

Energy & Environment Science & Technology (Bxxx)

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Mar 27, 2025, 2:13:48 PM

Unposting Date

Apr 27, 2025, 11:59:00 PM

RELOCATION

Position Relocation Eligible

TELEWORK

On-Site Worker