Post-Baccalaureate Appointee: Materials Recycling

Argonne National Laboratory • Lemont, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Argonne National Laboratory’s Applied Materials Division (AMD) is hiring a Post-Baccalaureate Appointee for the Bioprocessing and Separations Group. The appointee will conduct applied research to develop technologies that improve resource and energy efficiency, reduce dependence on imported energy, and strengthen national security. The role supports research and development in materials recycling and recovery, primarily as part of a multidisciplinary team working on battery recycling, with potential opportunities to contribute to other metals recovery and separation projects.

The appointee will assist with developing, testing, and evaluating material separation and recycling processes. Work may include laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments involving a broad range of separation technologies, support for pilot-plant design, installation, commissioning, and operation, data collection and analysis, and documentation of experimental results. The role may also contribute to research on direct recycling, hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling processes, and cathode-material synthesis. The work involves chemical processing and mechanical systems, and the appointee will work independently and collaboratively under the guidance of senior researchers and technical staff.

The position requires on-site work at Argonne’s campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week. It is a full-time, long-term fixed-term appointment. The expected hiring range is $58,656–$92,273. Benefits are part of the total rewards package; specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree earned within the past 0–2 years in engineering, chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field.
• Experience in lithium-ion battery systems, battery materials, and/or recycling technologies.
• Familiarity with materials separation equipment and techniques.
• Demonstrated aptitude for hands-on laboratory or technical work, including use of hand tools and assembly or modification of equipment.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
• Skilled oral and written communication at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to follow laboratory, chemical, and equipment safety procedures.
• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
• Ability to work on site at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of lithium-ion battery materials, cell components, and battery performance characteristics.
• Familiarity with metallurgical separation technologies.
• Experience with battery recycling, including direct recycling, hydrometallurgical, or pyrometallurgical processes.
• Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale equipment installation, start-up, troubleshooting, or debugging.
• Exposure to process development, process design, or pilot-plant operations.
• Experience with cathode-material synthesis or characterization.
• Strong hands-on technical skills and comfort working with laboratory and pilot-scale equipment.

Responsibilities

• Support research and development activities in materials recycling and recovery, primarily focused on battery recycling.
• Assist with the development, testing, and evaluation of material separation and recycling processes.
• Conduct laboratory- and pilot-scale experimental work involving a broad range of separation technologies.
• Support pilot-plant design, installation, commissioning, and operation.
• Collect and analyze data and document experimental results.
• Contribute, as applicable, to research on direct recycling, hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling processes, and cathode-material synthesis.
• Work independently and collaboratively under the guidance of senior researchers and technical staff.
• Follow laboratory, chemical, and equipment safety procedures.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level