Postdoctoral Fellow Carbon Nanomaterials Critical Mineral Recovery Academic Position: Part

The King's University offers an exceptional liberal arts education from a Christian perspective. Located in Edmonton, Alberta, King's serves students from across Canada and around the world. Join a dedicated team who have a desire and common mission to see students grow in a dynamic and nurturing Christian environment. People who love working and succeed at King’s serve God gladly, work collaboratively, think creatively, and embrace diversity.

Full-time, 2-year Appointment

The Department of Chemistry at the King’s University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join Dr. Cassidy Vander Schee’s interdisciplinary research program to develop advanced carbon nanomaterials for critical mineral recovery and environmental remediation.

In partnership with Bio Genius Agri-Tech Inc., our research designs and synthesizes functionalized carbon nanoparticles that exploit coordination chemistry to selectively bind and recover vanadium and other critical metals from oil sands process-affected water. This work integrates coordination chemistry, nanomaterial synthesis, surface functionalization, and advanced materials characterization to engineer selective metal-binding interfaces for critical metal recovery and environmental remediation.

The successful candidate will lead an independent research project within a collaborative academic- industry partnership. The position offers opportunities to publish high-impact research, develop patents, mentor students, and contribute to grant development. The successful candidate will apply principles of coordination chemistry to design selective metal-binding nanomaterials and evaluate their performance using advanced analytical and materials characterization techniques, including ICP-MS, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, DLS, zeta potential analysis, TEM, and XPS.

This is a unique position which combines fundamental materials discovery with real-world industrial application. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build an independent research profile while working at the interface of chemistry, nanotechnology, and environmental engineering within a growing research program.

This postdoctoral grant is offered under the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards. The grant is for two years, with a salary of $63,000 per year, plus benefits. Applicants must not currently be in Canada or affiliated with a Canadian university and are required to commit for the full-term of the award. The King’s University in Edmonton, AB offers a collaborative and supportive research environment with access to regional research facilities and strong partnerships across academia, government, and industry.

• Conduct high-quality independent research leading to journal publication and presentation at major conferences
• Design, synthesize and characterize functionalized carbon nanoparticles for the selective recovery of vanadium from complex environmental matrices
• Contribute to patent development and technology commercialization
• Assist with grant applications
• Co-supervision of undergraduate students, with opportunities to teach if desired
• Collaborate with academic, industry, and government research partners

• A PhD in Chemistry or closely related discipline. Research experience should include one or more of the following: coordination chemistry, nanomaterials synthesis and characterization, surface chemistry and functionalization, or carbon-based materials
• Do not have a current affiliation with a Canadian institution and must be currently studying or working abroad. Applicants can be of any citizenship
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications in international journals
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a scientific team
• Fluent in oral and written English

The King's University respects, appreciates and encourages diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals including members of visible minorities, Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.