SER Research Professional II - REE Extraction and Separation

The University of Wyoming is delighted to receive your interest in our vacant position!  We strive to connect with qualified and uniquely talented individuals to join our campus community.  We would love to hear how your experiences translate to this position, the University’s Mission, Vision, and Values, and encourage you to submit an application today!

JOB TITLE:   

JOB PURPOSE:   

Work under the guidance of the SER Research Professional III, Program Manager, Center Director(s), or Senior Director of Research on applied energy research to yield energy-driven economic development for Wyoming. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Undertake applied research related to subject matter expertise.
• Engage in a positive manner to have a positive impact on the performance and morale of SER staff, interaction with SER stakeholders, and the applicability and overall quality of the school.
• Participate in discussions, oral presentations, and publications focused on practical methods for improving energy production in Wyoming.
• Serve as a principal investigator and manage smaller research projects, usually less than $1 million in funding.
• Participate as a task lead on large projects.
• Substantially contribute to proposal preparation, including leading the preparation of some proposals.
• May, on a project by project, case by case basis, provide supervision or mentoring to other members of SER staff and stakeholders.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required to perform the essential duties of this position.
• Candidates are expected to be able to perform research in critical minerals and rare earth element extraction and separation.
• Follow and execute lab methods in completion of experiments for different critical mineral feedstocks.
• Follow and execute lab methods and in completion of experiments for separation of extracted material.
• Identify and troubleshoot operational and process quality problems.
• Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
• Assist with the development of strategies to support lab through commercial-scale implementation.
• Assist with proposal development and implementation.
• Calibrate and operate laboratory instruments for extraction and separation experiments.
• Generate and implement ideas and opportunities for unit optimization.
• Maintain project deliverables and timelines.
• Compile and present technical research to audiences of differing education.
• Assist with scale up and commercialization efforts.
• Participate in technoeconomic and life cycle analysis. 

This position will convey great opportunities to collaborate with industrial stakeholders across the state of Wyoming as well as the other departments at the University of Wyoming to further develop Alternative Carbon Engineering efforts that are pillars for future economic growth.  

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Read, understand, and follow safety procedures
• Develop and follow research methodologies and standard operating procedures
• Develop and follow laboratory and safety protocols
• Maintain laboratory workspace and regularly document state of laboratory facilities
• Ensure functionality of instruments and support equipment
• Accurately document work in progress
• Interface with Senior Research Professionals to purchase consumables
• Interface with Senior Research Professionals to effectively communicate the need for updates/improvements to facility including new instrumentation and support equipment
• Design, organize, and coordinate scientific and/or engineering research projects
• Use independent judgment to develop model concepts and approaches for advancing research
• Draw conclusions and make recommendations based on research data and findings

COMPETENCIES specific to the job: 

• Extraction of rare earth elements and critical minerals
• Separation techniques 
• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Formal Presentation Skills
• Quality Orientation
• Collaboration
• Analysis
• Technical/Professional Knowledge
• Innovation

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY: 

This position provides vital support to campus customers and requires the successful candidate be available to work on campus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Physicist, Geochemist, Economist, Data/GIS/Computer Science, Visualization, social sciences related to energy development, etc.), plus at least 3 years of direct job experience.
• Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the University Vehicle Use Policy. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or a relevant discipline prior to the commencement of the appointment
• Lab experience with extraction and/or separation processes (2-4 years)
• Excellent communication skills
• Commitment to interdisciplinary research
• Experience with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) 
• Experience in the extraction and/or separation of critical minerals from diverse feedstock such as coal and coal by-products 
• Proven experience in an industrial setting
• Process commercialization experience
• Experience in leading grant funded programs
• Collaboration with other SER Centers of Excellence, e.g., Center for Economic Geology Research

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  

Complete the online application and upload the following for a complete application: cover letter, resume or C.V. and contact information for four work-related references.  

HIRING STATEMENT:  

UW is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer (UW Reg 4-1). The University does not discriminate in employment or personnel practices on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry, political belief, pregnancy, or any other protected category or participation in any protected activity.  In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please call 307-766-2377 or email jobapps@uwyo.edu

ABOUT LARAMIE:

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a town of 30,000 in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research and outreach. The university has state-of-the-art facilities in many areas and the community provides the advantages of a major university.

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range, a bustling group of metropolitan cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. This beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/