The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research to support the thermochemical and catalytic conversion of waste plastics to fuels. Tasks will include literature survey, bench, and pilot-scale process development targeted at the thermochemical and catalytic conversion of plastics to fuel. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.
The postdoctoral research associate will work with a team of scientists to design screening experiments to down select catalysts and identify process conditions to convert waste plastics to liquid fuels at levels greater than 50 percent. Conduct pilot-scale studies, and collect process data to support process, engineering, and economic modeling. Develop mass and energy balance, design reactors, and estimate costs for techno-economic analysis. Prepare manuscripts and reports for publications. Analyze developed process to generate hypotheses and chart pathways to advance economic viability.
Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in chemical or environmental engineering, chemistry or related discipline. Employment as a postdoctoral research associate requires the completion of a Ph.D. within the past 10 years. Experience in reactor engineering, modeling, feedstock characterization, product analysis, and techno-economic analysis. Preference will be given to those with experience pyrolysis and gasification. Must have instrumentation skills in GC-MS, TGA, and NMR. Proficiency in inorganic and organic analysis, spectroscopy, and chromatography. Proficiency in written and oral English language for technical publications, reports, and conference presentation. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple dynamic priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Affinity for cooperative or interdisciplinary research with scientists at the Survey, professionals at other Surveys or other academic units, as well as governmental and other academic institutions. Proficiency in commonly employed software, databases and project management tools.
This is a full-time position, 12-month appointment with a salary per university guidelines. The anticipated duration of available funding is currently for 2 years. There is a possibility of an extension depending on funding and programmatic need. To learn more about the benefits offered at the University of Illinois, please visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/benefits/.
Position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. Qualified candidates must submit via e-mail a 1) cover letter, 2) résumé/CV, 3) and the names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) of three professional references to Dr. Sriraam Chandrasekaran at schandr@illinois.edu, Dr. Kishore Rajagopalan at nrajagop@illinois.edu and Dr. Brajendra Sharma at bksharma@illinois.edu.
The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. ISTC integrates applied research and technical assistance to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; renewable energy, greenhouse gas mitigation, materials recycling and beneficial reuse. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.
The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility
