Postdoctoral Researcher - Extractive Metallurgist Critical Mineral Recovery

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher - Extractive Metallurgist for Critical Mineral Recovery
Posting Title Postdoctoral Researcher
- Extractive Metallurgist for Critical Mineral Recovery.

LocationCO
- Golden.

Position Type Postdoc (Fixed Term).Hours Per Week
40.Working at NLRNLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions.

Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description We are seeking an extractive metallurgist to work on critical mineral extraction and processing projects for the Building Thermal Energy Sciences Group. The successful candidate will conduct advanced research focused on the extraction, recovery, purification, refining and/or recycling of metals. The role involves developing innovative, sustainable, and economically viable metallurgical processes, performing experimental and analytical work, and collaborating within a multidisciplinary team.

The successful candidate will be required to lead/co-lead peer‑reviewed publications, conference presentations, and technical reports.

Specific Responsibilities:

Design laboratory experimental setups related to mineral and chemical processing.

Support a hydrometallurgical project on rare earth separation and recovery.

Support pyrometallurgical projects focused on graphite processing and critical mineral recovery from alloys.

Characterize solid/liquid samples using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) etc.

Design and execute high-quality experimental research; interpret and communicate results.

Perform thermodynamic analysis on metal/mineral systems to guide experiments.

For some sample publications by the group please visit the below links albeit please note this is more of an experimentalist position compared to characterization. Qualifications Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional

Required Qualifications The successful candidate must demonstrate expertise in:

Process Technologies:
Pyrometallurgy, high-temperature synthetic chemistry, molten salt electrochemistry, hydrometallurgy, aqueous electrochemistry, electrometallurgy, electrode position

Fundamental Sciences:
Inorganic chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetic evaluation, degradation processes (corrosion, chemical changes, etc.)Analytical Methods:
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Modeling & Analysis:
Fact Sage thermodynamic modeling, OLI Studio Stream analyzer.

Research Excellence:
Publication record on topics relevant to the job description; ability to design rigorous research projects and interpret experimental results

Laboratory Management:
Experience managing research laboratories dedicated to high-temperature work; demonstrated history of safe conduct of research

Communication:
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with a strong record of contributions to the field

Essential

Competencies:

Collaboration & Leadership:
Ability to work closely with engineers, scientists, and students across many different fields; demonstrated ability to participate in, facilitate, and lead collaborations. Must demonstrate ability to encourage and maximize the unique talents and innovative ideas of a diverse array of collaborators from a wide range of backgrounds.

Independence & Initiative:
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and design…