Postdoctoral Researcher, Synthetic & Coordination Chemistry
About The Position
The Helms group in the Joint BioEnergy Institute & Materials Sciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to advance approaches to critical mineral recovery by designing and developing bio-derived chelators and functional polymer sorbents. The work combines synthetic chemistry, materials science, and chemical separations. The successful candidate will create and characterize molecular systems, investigate metal-binding behavior, and evaluate their effectiveness under relevant separation conditions. The role offers opportunities for independent research, interdisciplinary collaboration, publication, and mentoring in support of sustainable resource recovery. This is a full-time, two-year postdoctoral appointment, with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance, continued funding, and operational needs. Applicants must have less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience. Work will be performed primarily at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. The position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes, and salary is determined by postdoctoral step rates based on completed years of post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience. The position is subject to a background check.
Requirements
- PhD in Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Strong knowledge of designing, synthesizing, and characterizing organic molecules using established synthetic chemistry techniques.
- Strong knowledge of ligand design, metal–ligand coordination chemistry, or synthesis and characterization of compounds with metal-binding functionality.
- Knowledge of analytical methods for evaluating metal binding, speciation, or chemical interactions, such as titration methods, ion chromatography, ICP-MS/OES, or related techniques.
- Ability to conduct collaborative research and interact effectively with a broad range of colleagues.
- Ability to represent and promote scientific projects clearly to audiences with diverse technical backgrounds.
- Experience documenting and communicating scientific findings through manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, or posters.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for communicating research methods, findings, and conclusions to scientific and interdisciplinary audiences.
- Less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with separation processes such as solvent extraction, ion exchange, adsorption, chromatography, or membranes.
- Experience with polymer or solid-support functionalization.
- Familiarity with process metrics and scale-up considerations, including mass balance, throughput, and techno-economic analysis.
Responsibilities
- Design and synthesize new chelators and chelator-functionalized polymers or sorbents.
- Establish structure–binding–selectivity relationships for metal ions, including affinity, selectivity, kinetics, and stability under process-relevant conditions.
- Develop ion separation processes, including liquid–liquid separations, immobilizing chelators on supports, running batch or column separations, and evaluating recovery, purity, and cycle life.
- Characterize chelators and separation media using methods such as NMR, MS, UV-vis/fluorescence titrations, ITC, ICP-MS/OES, and HPLC/LC-MS.
- Help maintain a robust and inclusive safety culture.
- Maintain detailed and accurate records of research activities and outcomes.
- Publish in peer-reviewed journals; contribute to research papers, program reports, and review articles; and present oral reports.
- Mentor junior researchers and work collectively to meet program milestones on schedule.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options available.
- 24 days of Personal Time Off per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays.
- Eight weeks of Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave for qualifying family and parental needs.
- Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association opportunities for networking, professional development, and scientific exchange.
- A collaborative and inclusive culture.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
