Ames National Laboratory Scientist I - Metal Production Research

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

46d

About The Position

Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a beautiful university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames National Laboratory! Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of civility and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success. The Division of Critical Materials (DCM) at Ames National Laboratory seeks a Scientist I to conduct experimental research on the production of metals and alloys from salts, oxides, and related precursor materials. The Ames National Laboratory is a Department of Energy (DOE) funded national laboratory operated through contractual agreement with Iowa State University. The DCM is the Ames National Laboratory division that oversees the U.S. DOE's Critical Materials Innovation Hub. The successful candidate will design, develop, and optimize routes for metals production, including but not limited to metallothermic, electrolytic, and electrochemical methods to support U.S. supply-chain resilience. Work will span bench-to-pilot experiments for the reduction and refining of rare-earth (RE) and other specialty metals and alloys from halide salts (e.g., REFâ, Na-RE-F), oxides, and mixed feedstocks. Expertise developed on RE and specialty systems will be extended to novel experimental studies on transition metals and their alloys. The role requires operation and upkeep of key laboratory systems (e.g., vacuum/inert-atmosphere furnaces, other furnaces, gloveboxes, fume hoods, molten-salt electrolysis cells) and use of standard characterization tools (e.g., ICP-OES, DSC/TGA-GCMS, XRD, SEM/EDS) with rigorous EHS and data-integrity practices. The Scientist I will work with the supervisor, DCM researchers, Ames National Laboratory investigators, and collaborators across the CMI Hub to perform cutting-edge research. The incumbent will conceive, plan, execute, and supervise experiments; analyze and interpret results; as well as present and defend findings in internal reviews and at professional meetings. Responsibilities include authoring manuscripts, mentoring students, supporting postdoctoral researchers, and leading or contributing to competitive research proposals (as PI or co-PI) to sustain and grow the program. The position will also interface with a team of administrative staff and is expected to advance into building a broader network of industrial, national laboratory, and academic partners, in alignment with the Ames National Laboratory Strategic Goals.

Requirements

Master's degree and 3 years of related experience

Nice To Haves

Degree in metallurgy, physical science, engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science or related field.
Hands-on experience producing or purifying rare-earth, reactive, or refractory metals from halide salts and/or oxides.
Demonstrated capabilities with processes for metal reduction (e.g. metallothermic, electrolytic, etc.) and slag/flux design.
Understanding of crucible/refractory selection and awareness of failure modes.
Troubleshooting impurity pathways (metal vs. slag vs. fume).
Operation of vacuum/inert furnaces, gloveboxes, molten-salt/electrolysis cells, hot materials transfer/handling, and inert-gas management.
Electrometallurgy/molten salt electrolysis cell design (anode/cathode materials, current efficiency).
Thermochemical modeling capabilities and process design.
Analytical toolkit capabilities such as ICP-OES, XRD, SEM/EDS, LECO O/N/H/C, DSC/TGA-GCMS; etc.
Experience in laboratory space management including equipment maintenance and chemical inventory management.
Technical writing and communication skills; ability to defend methods/results in reviews and at professional meetings.
Experience or exposure in writing grant proposals.

Responsibilities

Conceive, plan, execute, and supervise experiments
Analyze and interpret results
Present and defend findings in internal reviews and at professional meetings
Author manuscripts
Mentor students
Support postdoctoral researchers
Lead or contribute to competitive research proposals (as PI or co-PI) to sustain and grow the program
Interface with a team of administrative staff
Advance into building a broader network of industrial, national laboratory, and academic partners, in alignment with the Ames National Laboratory Strategic Goals.

Benefits

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental
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
Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.