Postdoctoral Research Associate - Catalysis and Electrochemical Conversion of Biomass

Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Catalysis and Electrochemical Conversion of Biomass

Post Doc/Trainee

Summary of

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Iowa State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a multidisciplinary, milestone-driven research program focused on the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into chemicals and fuels. The successful candidate will join the research group of Professor Tessonnier.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will design, synthesize, and characterize heterogeneous catalysts and electrocatalysts, including metal alloys, non-precious metal catalysts, and mixed metal oxides. The successful candidate will investigate relationships between catalyst composition, structure, activity, selectivity, and stability.

Responsibilities include developing and implementing GC and GC-MS analytical methods (FID, TCD, and MS detectors) to identify and quantify reaction products, including lignin-derived phenolic compounds in aqueous mixtures and permanent gases. The candidate will evaluate catalysts in batch, flow, and electrochemical reactor systems.

The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty collaborators, and a national laboratory partner. Additional responsibilities include maintaining shared instrumentation; training and mentoring graduate and undergraduate researchers; preparing technical reports and presentations; contributing to project milestones and deliverables; and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field, completed before the start date.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in the synthesis of inorganic or hybrid materials, including metal and metal-alloy nanoparticles, metal oxide and mixed-oxide catalysts, and supported catalysts, with the ability to control composition, structure, and surface properties.
• Experience with materials characterization techniques and advanced data analysis, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron microscopy, physisorption and chemisorption methods, and vibrational spectroscopy.

• Experience with gas chromatography (GC) and GC-MS analysis of organic compounds, including method development, calibration, and quantification. Experience analyzing lignin-derived or other phenolic compounds, or organic compounds in aqueous samples, is preferred.
• Experience in heterogeneous catalysis or electrocatalysis, including catalyst evaluation in batch or flow reactors and electrochemical techniques such as voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and bulk electrolysis.
• Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting analytical instruments, with an interest in data-driven or automated experimentation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written reports, oral presentations, manuscripts, and interdisciplinary team discussions; mentor students; maintain accurate laboratory records; and meet project milestones.

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Iowa State University is a nationally recognized program with strengths in catalysis, renewable energy, biorenewables, advanced materials, biomedical engineering, and computational modeling. The department fosters a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities and strong partnerships with industry, government laboratories, and academic institutions.

Department of Chemical and…