Overview: 

We are seeking an early career scientist who will focus on membrane materials and advanced separations and purification.  In this role, you will focus on the development of innovative concepts, materials and processes from molecular design to device fabrication working with collaborators and partners in industry, university and national labs. The position provides a unique opportunity in basic and applied research, advanced process development, and technology commercialization of ORNL inventions. This position resides in the Energy Storage and Membrane Materials Group  in the Chemical Sciences Division (CSD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Work with a team of scientists seeking to advance the separation science and technology for critical materials recovery and recycling for clean energy applications
• Work with the Membrane Technologies team to support a broad range of program development opportunities in the field of desalination and separations and purification involving critical materials to demonstrate the potential for technology commercialization with external partners
• Independently formulate research strategies to compete for internal and external funding
• Participate and collaborate with other researchers in the development of new research directions and proposals for funding
• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality program requirements
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, environmental science and engineering, materials science and engineering, and at least two years of post-graduate experience
• This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A solid foundation in the science of separation and purification processes, materials chemistry and engineering
• Hands-on experience in using materials for separations including design, synthesis, fabrication, characterization and performance analysis
• Research experience in membrane-based separations using inorganic, polymeric or mixed-matrix composites
• Process research and development experience in one or more separation processes such as desalination, solvent extraction, ion exchange, adsorption
• Research experience in clean energy materials such as lanthanides, lithium and cobalt with primary focus on separation, recovery and recycling
• Excellent record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate to an international, scientific audience
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory  
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

Special Requirement:

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license, which requires U.S. Citizenship or LPR (Lawful Permanent Residence). 

Please provide a list of publications when applying for this position.  Three letters of reference are required and can be uploaded to your profile or emailed directly to PSDrecruit@ornl.gov.  Please include the title and number of the position in the subject line.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.