Postdoctoral Fellow - Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

10h

About The Position

The Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering in West Virginia University’s Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science and engineering. The research focuses on electrochemical recovery of rare earth metals from ionic-liquid-based electrolytes as part of a federally funded project developing advanced processes to produce rare earth metal products from feedstocks derived from acid mine drainage. Work will emphasize ionic-liquid and solvent electrolyte systems, electrochemical reduction and electrodeposition, and membrane-separated electrochemical cells. This is a grant-funded position, and continuation depends on available project funding.

The fellow will develop experimental procedures, conduct and optimize electrochemical research, analyze and report findings, and collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and project partners. The role also includes supporting laboratory operations, communicating results to the Principal Investigator and sponsors, presenting at technical meetings, preparing publications, and assisting with research proposals and funding activities as directed.

Requirements

• Earned doctoral degree by the time of appointment in chemistry, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, electrochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated research experience in chemistry and electrochemical methods, including electrochemical characterization, electrosynthesis, or related electrochemical processing.
• Ability to independently design experiments, analyze electrochemical data, and communicate research findings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with nonaqueous electrolytes or ionic liquids.
• Experience with electrochemical cell design and operation.
• Experience with cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic or galvanostatic testing.
• Experience with rare earth or metal-ion electrochemistry.
• Experience with membrane-separated electrochemical systems.
• Experience handling moisture-sensitive materials.
• Experience characterizing products using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), or elemental analysis methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize electrochemical reduction and electrodeposition methods for selected rare earth metals or mixtures.
• Review scientific literature and stay current with technological advances and research findings.
• Identify and assist with acquiring funding from public, private, and governmental sources.
• Select and modify research methods and procedures to meet project goals.
• Conduct laboratory and field experiments according to protocol.
• Oversee research facilities and personnel and assist with oversight of laboratory activities and equipment.
• Develop experimental procedures and maintain laboratory records.
• Collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and project partners.
• Write and present research status reports for the Principal Investigator and prepare technical progress reports for the Principal Investigator and project sponsor.
• Prepare and present experimental findings for colleagues, sponsors, and technical meetings or conferences.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Assist with research proposals and related activities as directed.

What This Job Offers

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