Postdoctoral Scholar, Chemical Engineering
Position Overview
Organization: Chemical Engineering
Title: Postdoctoral Scholar, Chemical Engineering
Position Details
Position Description
The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated postdoctoral scholar to work on a project sponsored by the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) under the mentorship and supervision of Prof. Julie Rorrer. The candidate will conduct research on the “Development of an Adaptive Catalytic Reactor to Store Intermittent Green Hydrogen Using Plastic Waste.”
Ideal candidates will be creative and passionate individuals who are committed to quality, integrity, and safety, and have hands-on laboratory experience in one or more of the following areas:
1. Heterogeneous catalyst synthesis and characterization
2. Reaction engineering and reactor design
3. Polymer deconstruction and upcycling
Experience in technoeconomic and/or lifecycle analysis is a plus.
Candidates will have the opportunity to engage with the energy community through attendance at conferences, meetings, and networking events, and will receive hands-on research mentorship and professional development support.
This full time 100% FTE position is offered for 1 year (12 months) with potential for renewal depending on job performance and funding availability. The base salary range for this position will be $5,705/month ($68,460/year), or as mandated by the U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
The primary responsibility is to design and operate a catalytic reactor to convert waste plastics into liquid organic hydrogen carriers through hands-on laboratory work.
Additional responsibilities include:
1. Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students
2. Participating and contributing to regular lab meetings
3. Preparing reports for the funding agency
4. Developing intellectual property
5. Writing and publishing results in scientific journals
6. Presenting research results to peers and at conferences
7. Participating in professional development activities, including DEIA efforts
Our department offers a highly collegial and collaborative culture, with broad interdisciplinary research ties across campus. We are building a culturally diverse faculty and encourage applications from women and minority candidates, individuals with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented or minoritized groups. We look forward to learning how the applicant's values, experiences, research, and service would support our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The UW has a culture of inter-departmental and cross-college collaborations, as well as close relationships with regional institutes, clinics, and industry partners. The University of Washington is a leader in clean energy (http://cei.washington.edu), molecular engineering and sciences (http://www.moles.washington.edu), nano-engineered systems (http://www.nano.uw.edu), medicine (https://www.uwmedicine.org), and advancing data sciences across all disciplines (http://escience.washington.edu).
Note: Postdoctoral scholars at UW are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website: https://hr.uw.edu/files/labor/UAW-4121-Postdoc-2021-2023-CBA-TA.pdf"
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
· PhD degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, or related field.
· Experience in heterogenous catalysis, chemical reactor design, or polymer deconstruction.
· Ability to function and thrive in a collaborative environment.
· Experience in publishing articles in peer reviewed journals.
· Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
· Interest in mentoring / supervising graduate and undergraduate students.
· Ability to manage priorities and timelines.
Desired Qualifications:
· Expertise in air-free synthesis and operando characterization of heterogeneous catalysts.
· Expertise in the synthesis and characterization heterogeneous catalysts based on metal oxides, carbides, and microporous materials.
· Experience in catalyst characterization techniques including: XRD, XAS, XPS, SEM, TEM, IR Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography.
· Experience with polymer deconstruction in batch and/or flow systems
· Expertise in catalytic hydrotreating via hydrogenolysis, hydrocracking, etc.
· Experience in chemical hydrogen storage.
· Experience in microkinetic modeling, control systems, and process automation.
· Experience in technoeconomic and lifecycle analysis.
Instructions
1. CV
2. Cover letter describing qualifications, professional goals, professional experience, and interest in the position. If you are missing “minimum requirements” or have “desired qualifications”, please describe in your cover letter and CV.
3. Diversity Statement. A one page description of your contribution to and vision for promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
4. Contact information for 3 references and brief description of why each person is listed.
5. State law requires that the University of Washington obtain the Disclosure of Sexual Misconduct declaration signed by the candidate. The declaration will require you to disclose any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct, to authorize current and past employers to disclose to the UW any sexual misconduct currently being investigated and/or committed by you, and to release current and past employers from any liability.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis when submitted. This position will start as soon as possible.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
Privacy Notice
Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.
Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.