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Position Title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Ames National Laboratory

Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Critical Materials Institute (CMI) with Iowa State University at the Ames Laboratory, a Department of Energy National Laboratory affiliated with Iowa State University, is searching for a qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate.

The successful candidate will work with Principal Investigators and CMI Scientists on developing advanced low-temperature methods and technologies for extraction of lithium hydroxide and/or lithium carbonate from chemical-grade alpha-spodumene and for conversion of rare-earth compounds into rare-earth metals. The work will include developing, planning and performing experiments, critically analyzing results and performing process optimization to improve yields of desired products, and generating reports, presentations and manuscripts for publication. The position requires ability to work in team setting with diverse group of researchers. The research will cover both fundamental and applied materials research. Ability to handle multiple tasks, meet set milestones, and draft quarterly progress reports is essential.

Areas of work include:

• Chemical and structural characterization of reactants, intermediates, and reaction products.
• Processing using a variety of techniques that promote metathesis and redox reactions in the solid state at temperatures from ambient to 400 – 800 °C.
• Characterization of reaction products employing multiple techniques, including but not limited to powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), gas-volumetric analysis, advanced electron-beam tools such as SEM and TEM, spectroscopic methods, and in efforts that involve rare-earth metals and compounds, SQUID and VSM magnetometry.

The ideal candidate will be able to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences. This is currently posted as a 6-month appointment.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

  Ph.D. must be completed prior to start date

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred degree in Materials Science.
• Experience with solid-state metathesis and redox reactions.
• Experience with processing and characterization of lithium-containing or/and rare earth-containing compounds.
• Experience with Rietveld analysis of XRD data, including quantitative phase analysis and determination of site occupancies.
• Ability to interpret SEM and TEM data, including high-resolution TEM.
• Experience with thermal analysis methods.
• Experience with measurements of magnetic properties.

Department Unit/Website:

www.ameslab.gov  

Proposed Start Date:
January 1, 2023

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:
June 30, 2023

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
3) Contact Information for Three References
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Postdocs enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans;
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans;
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Wellbeing Program.

Original Posting Date:
December 8, 2022

Posting Close Date:
December 14, 2022

Job Requisition Number:
R10501