Associate Materials Scientist

Overview

The Applied Materials Division (AMD) at Argonne National Laboratory is looking to hire an Associate Materials Scientist – Carbon Beneficiation and Separation. The AMD Division conducts applied research to develop innovative technologies to improve the efficiency of resource utilization; to minimize our dependence on imported materials; and to enhance our national security. This research and development position will report to the Resource Recovery and Separations Department.

The position is broadly focused on securing a domestic supply chain for critical materials, such as graphite. This candidate will join a team developing and testing material beneficiation, leaching, and separation unit operations, and will lead or help lead projects. The candidate should have a good understanding of mineral processing, leaching, separation, and characterization techniques. The project will involve R&D of different beneficiation, leaching, and separation technologies as well as pilot plant design, equipment installation, and operation.

The main research focus will be on valorizing waste products from coal mining or production, including coal fines or slurries, to produce graphite precursor materials.

• Secure a domestic supply chain for critical materials such as graphite.
• Develop and test material beneficiation, leaching, and separation unit operations.
• Lead or assist in project leadership and coordination.
• Conduct pilot plant design, equipment installation, and operation.
• Valorize waste products from coal mining or production to produce graphite precursor materials.
• Perform beneficiation processes such as froth flotation and gravity separation, and separation efforts including leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, electrodialysis, membrane separation, and crystallization or precipitation.
• Process, leach, separate, and characterize various forms of carbon.

• PhD in geology, earth sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials engineering (or other degrees with comparable skills).
• Strong oral and written communication skills at all levels of the organization.
• Proven track record of independent and collaborative research, meeting project deliverables and milestones.
• Highly self‑motivated and creative problem‑solving demonstrated by publications and recommendations.
• Ability to lead projects and team members.
• Skilled in plant design, installation, modification, and maintenance of equipment.
• Willingness to enforce and abide by safety rules and work with large volumes of hazardous chemicals.
• Flexibility to change projects and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

• Expertise in beneficiation of minerals or materials, leaching, and separation technologies.

Location:

On‑site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week. Salary range: $94,486.00 – $ (guideline; final offer based on qualifications, responsibilities, market, and equity). Comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment and is committed to nondiscrimination, considering all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Employees and certain guest researchers and contractors are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities;

disclose such participation during the application phase. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check and, if applicable, obtaining a government access authorization. Failure to obtain or maintain such authorization may result in withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.