The Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering (MMAE) in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University (WVU) invites applications for the position of Postdoctoral Fellow in the general area of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science and engineering, with research focused on the electrochemical recovery of rare earth metals from ionic-liquid-based electrolytes. The successful candidate will contribute to a federally funded project developing advanced processes to produce rare earth metal products from feedstocks derived from acid mine drainage. The research will emphasize ionic-liquid/solvent electrolyte systems, electrochemical reduction and electrodeposition, and the development of membrane-separated electrochemical cells. This is a grant-funded position; continuation is dependent on available project funding.
Research responsibilities: Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: (1) developing and optimizing electrochemical reduction and electrodeposition methods for selected rare earth metals or mixtures; (2) attending research conferences and reading scientific literature to keep abreast of technological advances and current research findings; (3) identifying and assisting with the acquisition of funding from public, private, and governmental sources; (4) searching scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures most appropriate for research goals; (5) performing laboratory and field experiment activities according to protocol; (6) overseeing research facilities and personnel; (7) writing and presenting research/study status reports for review and use of the Principal Investigator; (8) preparing results of experimental findings for presentation to colleagues and the sponsor at professional/technical conferences; and/or, for publication in scientific journals, as directed.
Additional responsibilities: The successful candidate will review relevant scientific literature; develop experimental procedures and maintain laboratory records; work collaboratively with faculty, graduate students, and project partners; assist with oversight of laboratory activities and equipment; prepare technical progress reports for the Principal Investigator and project sponsor; present results at technical meetings and conferences; prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals; and assist with research proposals and related activities as directed.
West Virginia University is a public land-grant research university with a Carnegie R1 research classification. The Statler College provides a collaborative environment for research and graduate education. Morgantown, West Virginia, is a university community with access to outdoor recreation and convenient travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
Qualifications
Required qualifications: Applicants must hold an earned doctoral degree (at the time of appointment) in chemistry, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, electrochemistry, or a closely related discipline. Candidates must have demonstrated research experience in chemistry and electrochemical methods, including electrochemical characterization, electrosynthesis, or related electrochemical processing. Applicants should be able to independently design experiments, analyze electrochemical data, and communicate research findings.
Preferred qualifications: Experience with nonaqueous electrolytes or ionic liquids; electrochemical cell design and operation; cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic or galvanostatic testing; rare earth or metal-ion electrochemistry; membrane-separated electrochemical systems; and handling moisture-sensitive materials. Experience with product characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), or elemental analysis methods is also desirable.
To apply for this position, visit https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities. Applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for at least three professional references. Only candidates who submit complete documentation will be considered in the review process. For questions or additional information, please contact Dr. Edward Sabolsky at ed.sabolsky@mail.wvu.edu or visit the MMAE website at https://mmae.statler.wvu.edu/.
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