Analysis of Ore Materials Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy; LIBS Critical Minera

Analysis of Ore Materials Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Critical Minerals Processing

Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)

Reference Code: NETL-Postdoc-2026-McIntyre-2

Final date to receive applications: 12/31/2026 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time Zone

How to Apply:

• An application including academic history, work history, honors/awards
• Description of goals, related experience and skills – refer to NETL's Core Competencies and ongoing projects when applicable
• Transcripts – acceptable transcript information
• A current resume/CV with academic and employment history, relevant experiences, publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations – provide contact information for at least two recommenders; the first two recommendations received will be attached for review. Recommend­ers receive an email with the subject line "[Your Name] - ORISE Recommendation Request – [your email]" and a secure link to submit a recommendation

Application Tips: NETL values a combination of academic success, experience, and leadership potential. To increase your chances of selection, tailor your responses to the project, spend sufficient time on essay responses and the resume, and ensure all submissions are grammatically correct and clearly expressed.

Description: The National Energy Technology Laboratory has a history of developing technologies that address environmental challenges. This postdoctoral fellowship focuses on using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to analyze ore materials and liquids containing critical minerals. The goal is to improve measurement techniques and apply LIBS in prospecting, identification, and processing of critical minerals in field and process control environments.

Program Goals:

• Develop skills and knowledge in the field of study
• Engage with new areas of basic and applied research
• Network with world‑class scientists
• Exchange ideas and skills with the Laboratory community
• Use state‑of‑the‑art equipment
• Contribute to answers for today’s pressing scientific questions
• Collaborate with broader scientific and technical communities

Project Details:

• Project hosted at NETL Morgantown, WV campus under the mentorship of Dustin Mc Intyre
• Investigate ore materials and liquids containing critical minerals using LIBS systems
• Identify interferences and develop strategies to overcome them
• Design, fabricate, operate, and validate class 4 laser sensing systems for LIBS
• Integrate LIBS into liquid process sensing and control apparatus and multi‑sensor devices for identifying and measuring critical minerals in natural solid or liquid materials

Stipend: Monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience

• Post‑Doctoral stipend: $7,486 per month

Program Requirements: Participants must submit pre‑appointment and post‑appointment surveys, and reflections on their experience upon renewal or completion of the appointment. They may also contribute to manuscripts, journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, posters, patents, and other publications, which must be reported to ORISE when an offer is accepted.

Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree received within the last five years or currently enrolled in a doctoral program and scheduled to complete the degree prior to appointment start date
• Ideal candidate skills: atomic and laser spectroscopy, optical design and opto‑mechanical fabrication, statistical data analysis, technical paper writing, poster presentation

Point of Contact: Cinnamon

Eligibility Requirements:

• Doctoral degree within last 60 months or pursuing
• Discipline(s):
  Chemistry and Materials Sciences (including sub‑disciplines such as Analytical Chemistry, Bio‑inorganic Chemistry, Bio‑organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Chemistry General, Environmental Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Sciences, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry)
• Communications and Graphics Design
• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences
• Earth and Geosciences
• Engineering
• Environmental and Marine Sciences
• Life Health and Medical Sciences
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Physics
• Science & Engineering‑related
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Age:
  Must be 18 years old

Affirmation:

• Have earned a Doctoral degree no more than five years before application date
• Or will receive a Doctoral degree by appointment start date

Seniority Level: Internship

Employment Type: Full‑time

Job Function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Industries: Government Administration