Postdoctoral Research Associate - Chemical Engineering
About The Position
The Lam Research Group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate. This role focuses on experimental molten salt science, advanced materials characterization, and AI-enabled materials discovery. The successful candidate will lead the establishment and operation of a new molten salt laboratory, including capabilities for salt synthesis, handling, characterization, and thermophysical property measurements. The researcher will contribute to interdisciplinary projects combining experimental characterization, artificial intelligence, spectroscopy, and computational materials science. Key research areas include developing AI-enabled X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis for monitoring molten salt chemistry and corrosion in fusion energy systems, and experimentally validating generative AI for inverse materials design to accelerate the discovery of advanced materials for energy applications. The position involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary team and offers opportunities to engage in other clean energy projects. The researcher will have significant freedom to pursue complementary interests, develop new expertise, lead publications, present at conferences, mentor students, and build collaborations. This position is designed to provide a strong foundation for careers in academia, national laboratories, or industry.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field by the start date of employment.
- Demonstrated experience conducting experimental research in materials science, chemistry, electrochemistry, high-temperature systems, or related areas.
- Experience designing, operating, or maintaining laboratory equipment and experimental facilities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including a record of peer-reviewed publications.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.
- Experience analyzing and interpreting experimental data using modern scientific software tools.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with molten salts, high-temperature materials, or related chemical systems.
- Experience with materials synthesis and characterization.
- Experience with X-ray characterization methods, including XRD, XAS/XAFS, or synchrotron techniques.
- Experience with corrosion science, electrochemistry, thermophysical property measurements, or related experimental methods.
- Experience developing laboratory infrastructure or establishing new experimental capabilities.
- Familiarity with machine learning, artificial intelligence, or computational materials science.
- Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students.
- Interest in fusion energy, advanced nuclear technologies, or energy storage applications.
Responsibilities
- Play a leading role in establishing and operating a new molten salt laboratory, including capabilities for salt synthesis, handling, characterization, and thermophysical property measurements.
- Contribute to interdisciplinary projects integrating experimental characterization, artificial intelligence, spectroscopy, and computational materials science.
- Develop AI-enabled X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis methods for monitoring molten salt chemistry and corrosion in fusion energy systems.
- Experimentally validate generative AI approaches for inverse materials design.
- Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of students, postdoctoral researchers, national laboratory collaborators, and computational scientists.
- Engage in other clean energy projects involving high-temperature ceramics, thermal energy storage materials, and ultra-wide-bandgap semiconductors.
- Pursue complementary research interests and develop new technical expertise.
- Lead publications.
- Present research at national and international conferences.
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
- Build collaborations with researchers at universities, national laboratories, and industry.
Benefits
- Benefited
- Grace union
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
