Postdoctoral Research Associate - Ames National Laboratory

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Ames National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research in heterogeneous catalysis for sustainable chemical manufacturing. The research focuses on designing, synthesizing, characterizing, and evaluating catalysts, and developing structure–property–performance relationships to guide catalyst discovery and optimization. The postdoctoral researcher will plan and execute catalyst synthesis and reaction studies, with an emphasis on high-pressure and high-temperature gas-phase or multiphasic reactions.

The role includes establishing rigorous reaction protocols, evaluating catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability, and applying appropriate analytical and materials-characterization techniques. The postdoc will join an interdisciplinary team of catalysis scientists and materials researchers, generate high-quality, reproducible experimental data, interpret findings in the context of catalyst composition, structure, and reaction conditions, communicate results, and contribute to publications, presentations, and collaborative research activities. The Ph.D. must be completed before the start date. The appointment is full time, with a proposed start date of December 1, 2026.

Requirements

• Ph.D. completed prior to the start date.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating heterogeneous catalysts in high-pressure and high-temperature gas-phase or multiphasic reactions.
• Experience in polymer upcycling, plastic waste conversion, or related catalytic depolymerization and valorization processes.
• Experience operating, optimizing, or developing automated or high-throughput experimental systems, such as robotic solid/liquid handling or parallel reactor platforms.
• Experience with automated process control, data acquisition, and database integration software.
• Strong background operating online analytical instrumentation, such as Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, GC-MS, HPLC/UPLC, or UV/Vis, and using workflows or scripts for automated data parsing and analysis.
• Experience synthesizing materials, including nanostructured porous materials such as zeolites, mesoporous oxides, carbons, or metal/metal alloys, and using physical characterization techniques such as XRD, BET, and chemisorption.
• Enthusiasm for collaborative, interdisciplinary research and ability to communicate effectively with materials modelers, machine learning specialists, and automation engineers.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute catalyst synthesis and reaction studies, particularly for high-pressure and high-temperature gas-phase or multiphasic reactions.
• Establish rigorous reaction protocols and evaluate catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability.
• Apply appropriate analytical and materials-characterization techniques.
• Generate high-quality, reproducible experimental data and interpret results in the context of catalyst composition, structure, and reaction conditions.
• Communicate findings and contribute to publications, presentations, and collaborative research activities.
• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team of catalysis scientists and materials researchers.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare in Ames, Iowa
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• WorkFlex options for some positions

What This Job Offers

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