NRRI Duluth​/Coleraine Lab - Post-Doc Temperature Extractive Metallurgy

Overview

NRRI Organizational

Job Title:

NRRI Duluth/Coleraine Lab - Post-Doc – High-Temperature Extractive Metallurgy 9546 - $75,000-$80,000

The Minerals and Metallurgy group at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) is seeking up to one postdoctoral research associate to support ongoing and future R&D activities in high-temperature extractive metallurgy and critical materials processing. This position focuses on developing and optimizing high temperature processing technologies for the recovery, recycling, and valorization of metallic systems relevant to advanced manufacturing and sustainable metallurgy applications.

About the Job:

The selected candidate will contribute to research programs involving high-temperature processing, thermal treatment, reduction, smelting, alloy refining, and recycling of metallic materials. The position is intended for candidates with strong experimental and analytical skills in pyrometallurgy and high-temperature reaction systems.

There is increasing national and industrial demand for researchers with expertise in high-temperature process metallurgy, particularly in areas related to critical material recovery, recycling of advanced alloys, energy intensification of metallurgical operations, and circular manufacturing. This role provides opportunities to work on industry-relevant challenges involving process development, thermal reaction engineering, materials characterization, and scale-up studies.

The position offers a collaborative research environment involving industrial partners, federal and state agencies, and multidisciplinary technical teams. Publication of innovative research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences is expected.

• Conduct experimental research related to high-temperature metallurgical processing, including thermal treatment, reduction, oxidation, smelting with/without vacuum, alloy processing, and recycling studies (55%).
• Perform process development, experimental design, materials characterization, and interpretation of metallurgical reaction behavior and process performance (20%).
• Prepare peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, conference presentations, and contribute to sponsored research proposals (15%).
• Mentor technicians engaged in related research activities (5%).
• Contribute to laboratory organization, equipment maintenance, safety practices, and project coordination activities (5%).

Physical/Environmental Demands:

This position involves regular work in a chemistry and electrochemistry laboratory environment. The incumbent will handle hazardous materials (acids, bases, molten salts, solvents, and reactive metals), requiring adherence to established safety protocols, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and compliance with University and NRRI laboratory safety standards. Physical requirements include standing for extended periods, handling laboratory equipment and instrumentation, and lifting materials up to 25 lbs.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering, materials science, extractive metallurgy, chemical engineering, or a closely related STEM discipline
• Hands-on laboratory experience in high-temperature metallurgical processing and thermal reaction systems
• Experience with furnace operation, reduction/oxidation, smelting studies, thermal analysis, and metallurgical characterization techniques
• Demonstrated record of independent research through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in pyrometallurgy, recycling of metallic materials, alloy processing, or critical materials recovery
• Familiarity with high-temperature reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and process optimization
• Experience with analytical and characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM-EDS/EPMA, ICP OES/MS, TGA/DSC, heating microscopy or related methods
• Knowledge of thermodynamic and process simulation tools such as Fact Sage, HSC Chemistry, Met Sim or related software
• Technical proficiency in data analysis, experimental design, and scientific instrumentation
• Ability to collaborate effectively across…