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

Organization

National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)

NETL-Postdoc-2026-McIntyre-2

• An application including academic history, work history experiences, and honors/awards.
• Description of your goals, related experience, and related skills – refer to NETL's Core Competencies and ongoing projects when applicable.
• Transcripts – see detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• Two educational or professional recommendations. Provide contact information for at least two recommenders; the first two recommendations received will be attached to your application for review by NETL. Recommendations will be requested via a secure link sent to the recommenders.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions about the application process, contact NETLinfo.

After submitting your application in Zintellect, you may reach out to internship.program.gov to request a conversation with the hosting researcher. You must have a completed application to receive a response.

12/31/2026 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time Zone

The National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL) record of success has been built on understanding the future of energy and the technologies required to make that future possible. We’ve long touted our success in developing the technologies that addressed acid rain in the 1970s and mercury in the early 2000s.

The NETL Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program is a high‑intensity program designed to identify recent Doctoral graduates of high promise and to foster advanced skill development. It allows the postdoc to systematically outline career goals and provides the means to achieve them. NETL principal investigators and leads serve as mentors to postdoctoral participants during the program, affording the postdoc a unique opportunity to develop critical skills needed to become an independent professional.

• Develop skills and knowledge in their 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.

Through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), this posting seeks a post‑Doctoral researcher to engage in projects with the Research Innovation Center (RIC) at NETL in the area of Critical Minerals under the mentorship of Dustin McIntyre. This project will be hosted at the NETL Morgantown, WV campus.

The project involves the investigation of ore materials and liquids containing critical minerals using multiple laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) systems. Identification of interferences and strategies for overcoming them will be examined. The goal is to better understand measurement and to evaluate the best ways to apply LIBS (solids and liquid) for prospecting, identification, and processing of critical minerals in the field and process control environment.

The participant will become familiar with the design, fabrication, operation, and validation of class 4 laser sensing using LIBS. They will also become familiar with the integration of a LIBS system into a liquid process sensing and control apparatus and multi‑sensor devices for identification and measurement of critical minerals in natural solid or liquid materials.

The selected participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

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

Participants must submit a pre‑appointment and post‑appointment survey, as well as a reflection on their appointment experience when they renew or end their appointment. The reflection should summarize their project(s), additional activities, and overall experience. Details will be provided as the appointment end date approaches.

Participants may also contribute to manuscripts, journal…