Geometallurgy Postdoctoral Research Associate

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Associate in geometallurgical engineering, mineral processing, mining geology, or a comparable discipline for the Department of Critical Minerals & Geothermal Energy within the Energy and Environment Science and Technology (EES&T) directorate. The research will focus on the geometallurgy of mineralogically complex rare earth element (REE) and thorium (Th) deposits, developing and optimizing processes that produce high-grade mineral concentrates for downstream extraction.

The researcher will lead experimental development of a multi-stage beneficiation circuit at INL’s Minerals, Materials, and Metallurgy (M³) Laboratory, one of few U.S. facilities equipped to process REE-bearing samples containing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). Work includes comminution, density, magnetic and electromagnetic separation, and froth flotation experiments; evaluating stages by grade and mass recovery; and integrating them into an optimized circuit. The researcher will also support mineralogic and geochemical characterization, including mineral liberation analysis (MLA), and develop elemental deportment models to guide circuit design.

The position includes collecting, compiling, organizing, and interpreting data; writing proposals to obtain new data; preparing scientific manuscripts; presenting results at national and international conferences and meetings; contributing to invention disclosures and follow-on proposals; and representing the Department in programmatic and technical presentations to sponsors and peers. The researcher is expected to work effectively on an interdisciplinary R&D team, be self-motivated, and take direction from team members and peers. The role is based at the M³ Laboratory in Idaho Falls and follows a 9x80 schedule, with every other Friday off. The researcher reports to Dr. Paul Slezak.

Requirements

• PhD in Metallurgical Engineering, Mineral Processing, Mining Engineering, Geology, or a comparable discipline; degree requirements must be completed by the appointment start 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 such as QEMSCAN or MLA, 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 communication and published written communication skills in English.
• Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 35 pounds, and to work in office, field, and laboratory environments.

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 with the 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 comminution and beneficiation experiments for REE- and Th-bearing feedstocks.
• Use comminution, density separation, magnetic and electromagnetic separation, and froth flotation methods to investigate mineral separation performance.
• Evaluate separation stages by grade and mass recovery and integrate them into an optimized circuit.
• Support mineralogic and geochemical characterization of samples, including mineral liberation analysis on REE- and NORM-bearing samples.
• Collect, compile, organize, and interpret data, and write proposals to obtain new data.
• Build elemental deportment models to guide circuit design.
• Write scientific manuscripts for journal publication and present research results at conferences and meetings.
• Contribute to invention disclosures and help develop follow-on proposals.
• Support representation of the Department through programmatic and technical presentations to sponsors and peers.
• Work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary R&D team.

What This Job Offers

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