Postdoctoral Appointee – Bioprocesses and Separation Technologies

Argonne National Laboratory • Lemont, IL

14d • $72,879 - $121,465 • Onsite

About The Position

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Appointee position in the Separations and Bioprocessing Group within the Applied Materials Division at Argonne National Laboratory. The successful applicant will conduct advanced research to develop, evaluate, and scale efficient and cost-effective bioprocess technologies that improve resource and energy utilization, reduce dependence on imported materials, and strengthen national energy security. The Postdoctoral Appointee will contribute significantly to ongoing research efforts in resource valorization. Specifically, the candidate will optimize, and scale up (0.5 to 400 L) arrested methanogenesis systems to convert diverse low-value organic waste streams into value-added products (e.g., carboxylic acids), and support the development and scale-up of advanced bioleaching processes for recovery of critical minerals from secondary materials The candidate will design and execute experiments; operate, monitor, and troubleshoot bench- and pilot-scale bioreactors; collect, analyze, and interpret biological, chemical, and microbial omics data; and integrate results to evaluate process performance and scalability. The candidate will contribute to process modeling and techno-economic assessment as appropriate. The candidate will work independently under general guidance, collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment, and prepare technical reports, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at scientific conferences. Position Requirements Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in Chemical Engineering, Environmental engineering, Bioengineering, or a closely related field, with 0 to 5 years of experience, or the equivalent experience through practical application in a laboratory. Demonstrated expertise in bioprocess development and scale-up, including installation, modification, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of bench- and pilot-scale bioreactor systems. Extensive hands-on experience with analytical characterization of bioprocess samples, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy or mass spectrometry (ICP-OES/MS). Demonstrated experience in microbiological techniques, including microbial cultivation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, strain maintenance and preservation (e.g., glycerol stocks, subculturing), aseptic technique, and operation under BSL-1 and BSL-2 containment requirements. Experience with microbial molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction and analysis of sequencing-based omics data. Experience in bioreactor configuration, inline/online sensor integration, and PID-based process control; familiarity with bioreactor automation systems and troubleshooting. Experience handling hazardous chemicals and operating laboratory and pilot-scale systems in compliance with safety protocols. Familiarity with process modeling (e.g., Aspen Plus, SuperPro Designer) and techno-economic analysis of biofuels, bioproducts, and biomaterials. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment. Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis. Willingness to work a non-standard schedule to accommodate testing needs, including occasional afternoons and weekends. Skilled in interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork. This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.

Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in Chemical Engineering, Environmental engineering, Bioengineering, or a closely related field, with 0 to 5 years of experience, or the equivalent experience through practical application in a laboratory.
• Demonstrated expertise in bioprocess development and scale-up, including installation, modification, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of bench- and pilot-scale bioreactor systems.
• Extensive hands-on experience with analytical characterization of bioprocess samples, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy or mass spectrometry (ICP-OES/MS).
• Demonstrated experience in microbiological techniques, including microbial cultivation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, strain maintenance and preservation (e.g., glycerol stocks, subculturing), aseptic technique, and operation under BSL-1 and BSL-2 containment requirements.
• Experience with microbial molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction and analysis of sequencing-based omics data.
• Experience in bioreactor configuration, inline/online sensor integration, and PID-based process control; familiarity with bioreactor automation systems and troubleshooting.
• Experience handling hazardous chemicals and operating laboratory and pilot-scale systems in compliance with safety protocols.
• Familiarity with process modeling (e.g., Aspen Plus, SuperPro Designer) and techno-economic analysis of biofuels, bioproducts, and biomaterials.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis.
• Willingness to work a non-standard schedule to accommodate testing needs, including occasional afternoons and weekends.
• Skilled in interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
• This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.

Responsibilities

• Optimize, and scale up (0.5 to 400 L) arrested methanogenesis systems to convert diverse low-value organic waste streams into value-added products (e.g., carboxylic acids)
• Support the development and scale-up of advanced bioleaching processes for recovery of critical minerals from secondary materials
• Design and execute experiments
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot bench- and pilot-scale bioreactors
• Collect, analyze, and interpret biological, chemical, and microbial omics data
• Integrate results to evaluate process performance and scalability
• Contribute to process modeling and techno-economic assessment as appropriate
• Work independently under general guidance
• Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment
• Prepare technical reports, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at scientific conferences

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree