Researcher in Chemical Enginering

Argonne National Laboratory

Institution: Argonne National Laboratory
Division: Chemical and Fuel Cycle Technologies
Location: Argonne, IL, USA
Position Type: Full-time, Fixed Term (Postdoctoral)
Hiring Range: $70,758 – $117,925

Overview

The position focuses on developing electrochemical processes in molten salt electrolytes for recycling used nuclear fuel and supporting advanced reactor deployment. The successful candidate will work on actinide and rare earth separations and contribute to engineering-scale electrochemical process development.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize novel separation chemistries to recover actinides and rare earths.

  • Apply electrochemical engineering principles to processes like oxide reduction and electrorefining.

  • Design, perform, and analyze electrochemical experiments (cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, polarization tests).

  • Develop new materials and electrochemical reactions.

  • Communicate results via technical reports, presentations, and proposals.

  • Contribute technical ideas to advance molten salt electrochemistry.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Nuclear Engineering, or related field (recent or within last 5 years).

  • Experience: 0–3 years post-PhD, with knowledge of electrochemistry, electrochemical engineering, or materials science.

  • Ability to plan and perform experiments, use research equipment, and report results.

  • Strong problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.

  • Desirable (not mandatory): experience with molten salts, actinide chemistry, hazardous material handling (gloveboxes/hoods).

  • U.S. Citizenship required (for federal regulations).

Conditions & Compliance

  • Drug testing under 10 CFR 707.4 and a background check required.

  • Must comply with U.S. DOE rules regarding foreign government activities.

  • Potential requirement for government access authorization.

Benefits & Culture

  • Full postdoctoral benefits package available (Argonne Benefits).

  • Argonne promotes a collaborative, safe, and inclusive research environment.

  • Opportunities to translate science into practical innovation in energy, environment, and national security.

Application & Contact

Apply