Postdoctoral Research Associate
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse. 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. Learn more at https://prairie.illinois.edu/about/jobs/
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
ISTC is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Associate (up to 2 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to participate in and conduct technology research and development in ongoing projects pertinent to carbon management, waste management, or other relevant clean energy and resource utilization topics. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Develop material, process and engineering data through scientific experiments and characterization.
- Conduct design, assembly, and operation of scientific equipment and facilities to meet research needs.
- Conduct process modeling and develop mass and energy stream information for process optimization and evaluation.
- Perform laboratory, bench, and pilot scale experiments to develop and evaluate materials and processes.
- Participate in techno-economic analysis studies.
- Assist in developing proposals in response to government and industrial funding opportunities.
- Document, interpret, and analyze experimental data.
- Prepare technical reports, presentations, and journal manuscripts.
- Supervise and train project assistants, including students.
Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in chemical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, materials, or related discipline. Employment as a post-doctoral research associate requires the completion of a Ph.D. within the past 10 years.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience of process simulation software such as Aspen Plus or alike. Research experience of gas separation, carbon capture and utilization, or waste treatment. Research experience of materials analysis and characterization.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to design, assemble, and operate experimental setups and equipment. 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 and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases.
Appointment Information: This is a full-time position, 12-month appointment with a salary per university guidelines. The anticipated duration of available funding is currently for two 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/.
This position is funded by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). DOE requires foreign national reporting for any person who is not a US citizen by birth or naturalization and the current ruling by DOE is that no foreign national personnel can begin work on projects until approved.
Application Procedure: 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. Yongqi Lu, Chemical/Environmental Engineer at yongqilu@illinois.edu
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