Geometallurgy Postdoctoral Research Associate

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Department of Critical Minerals & Geothermal Energy in the Energy and Environment Science and Technology directorate. The researcher will focus on the geometallurgy of mineralogically complex rare earth element (REE) and thorium (Th) deposits, designing, conducting, and optimizing comminution and beneficiation experiments to produce high-grade mineral concentrates for downstream extraction. The position is based at the Minerals, Materials, and Metallurgy (M³) Laboratory in Idaho Falls and follows a 9x80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Reporting to Dr. Paul Slezak, the researcher will lead experimental development of a multi-stage beneficiation circuit at INL's M³ Laboratory, one of the few U.S. facilities equipped to process REE-bearing samples containing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). The work uses comminution, density separation, magnetic and electromagnetic separation, and froth flotation to relate the physical properties of REE- and Th-bearing minerals to separation performance. The researcher will evaluate stages by grade and mass recovery and integrate them into an optimized circuit.

The researcher will support mineralogic and geochemical characterization of REE- and NORM-bearing samples, including mineral liberation analysis (MLA). Responsibilities also include collecting, compiling, organizing, and interpreting data; writing proposals to obtain new data; and building elemental deportment models to guide circuit design.

The role requires effective teamwork in an interdisciplinary R&D team, self-motivation, and the ability to take direction. The researcher will write scientific manuscripts for journal publication, present results at national and international conferences and meetings, contribute to invention disclosures, help develop follow-on proposals, and represent the Department through technical and programmatic presentations to sponsors and peers.

The role involves work in office and field/laboratory environments, including field work in remote locations within radioactive boundary areas and overnight travel for extended field work. The position requires operating job-related equipment and occasionally lifting or moving up to 35 pounds. The annual pay is $105,144.00. A comprehensive relocation package is listed among the benefits; benefit eligibility depends on employment status and position classification.

Requirements

• PhD in Metallurgical Engineering, Mineral Processing, Mining Engineering, Geology, or a comparable discipline.
• PhD requirements must be completed by the commencement of appointment and within the previous five years.
• Hands-on experience designing and conducting laboratory-scale comminution experiments, including crushing, grinding, and size classification, and characterizing particle-size distribution and mineral liberation.
• Hands-on experience conducting mineral beneficiation experiments using one or more of gravity/density separation, magnetic or electromagnetic separation, or froth flotation.
• Experience evaluating separation performance through grade, recovery, and mass-balance calculations.
• Experience with mineralogic characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, or automated mineralogy, and ability to relate mineral properties to process behavior.
• Ability to analyze and interpret geological and metallurgical data using computer software and combine information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Demonstrated oral and published written communication skills in English.
• Ability to perform the physical and field/laboratory duties described, including operating job-related equipment and occasionally lifting or moving up to 35 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience processing REE-bearing ores or other critical mineral feedstocks, particularly from carbonatite or other mineralogically complex deposits.
• Experience working with naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) or in radiological laboratory settings.
• Experience with flotation reagent chemistry, including collectors, depressants, and modifiers, and surface chemistry of REE and gangue minerals.
• Experience designing and integrating multi-stage beneficiation flowsheets, including statistical design of experiments.
• Experience with geometallurgical modeling, elemental deportment studies, or microanalytical techniques such as electron probe microanalysis or LA-ICP-MS mapping.
• Experience with hydrometallurgical leaching of mineral concentrates.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental development of a multi-stage beneficiation circuit at INL's M³ Laboratory.
• Design, conduct, and optimize laboratory-scale comminution and beneficiation experiments for complex REE- and Th-bearing feedstocks.
• Use comminution, density separation, magnetic and electromagnetic separation, and froth flotation to relate mineral physical properties to separation performance.
• Evaluate beneficiation stages by grade and mass recovery and integrate them into an optimized circuit.
• Support mineralogic and geochemical characterization of REE- and NORM-bearing samples, including mineral liberation analysis.
• Collect, compile, organize, and interpret data, and write proposals to obtain new data.
• Build elemental deportment models to guide circuit design.
• Work effectively as a self-motivated member of an interdisciplinary R&D team and take direction from team members and peers.
• Write scientific manuscripts for journal publication and present research results at national and international conferences and meetings.
• Contribute to invention disclosures and help develop follow-on proposals.
• Represent the Department through programmatic and technical presentations to sponsors and peers at conferences and symposia.
• Conduct field work in remote locations within radioactive boundary areas and undertake overnight travel for extended field work.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with self-contribute access for postdoctoral positions
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive relocation package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree