Postdoctoral Research Associate
About The Position
This position will support innovation in cellulose nanofiber (CNF) production, rheology, and advanced manufacturing, as part of the Maine-FOREST initiative to develop processing-structure-property relationships for CNF-based products. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the development of scalable CNF technologies and biobased materials with applications in sustainable packaging, bio-composites, and 3D printing. This role involves conducting cutting-edge research at the intersection of materials science, AI-informed modeling, and sustainable product development, helping position Maine as a global leader in CNF-based innovation. Typical hiring range for this soft-money funded position is $50,000 to $60,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. Complete Job Description About the University: The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Forest Products, or a closely related field.
- Research experience in establishing processing-structure-property relationships for composites.
- Strong background in experimental methods and/or computational modeling, particularly in materials testing and/or process simulation.
- Strong background in microscopy and imaging.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare scientific manuscripts and presentations.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across disciplines.
Nice To Haves
- Research experience with lignocellulosic materials, nanocellulose, or biocomposite materials.
- Experience with AI/ML tools applied to materials science or manufacturing.
- Familiarity with CNF/LCNF production, rheology, or their integration into biobased products.
- Experience in additive manufacturing or sustainable product design.
- Experience in laser-based imaging.
- Ability to work in a dynamic research environment with academic and industry partners.
Benefits
- tuition benefits (employee and dependent)
- comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability
- retirement plan options
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
