Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Nuclear Engineering - UTK

Post-Doctoral Research Associate – Lanthanide and Actinide Membrane Separations

This position involves experimental research in the design, synthesis, and application of advanced membrane materials for the selective separation of lanthanide and actinide ions. The researcher will lead efforts in the development of chemically robust membrane systems, including polyelectrolyte multilayers and chelator-assisted platforms, and evaluate their separation performance under relevant environmental and radiological conditions.

Responsibilities include synthesizing monomers and membranes, performing polymerization or assembly, and conducting advanced materials characterization using techniques such as zeta potential analysis, SEM, ellipsometry, ICP, and spectroscopy. The postdoctoral researcher will assess membrane selectivity, permeability, and stability for f-element separations and support mechanistic investigations to understand ion–membrane interactions. The candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team across the University of Tennessee. Additional responsibilities include technical interactions with graduate students, preparing reports and peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, and contributing to the development of future proposals and collaborative research efforts.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Radiochemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• The successful applicant will hold a Ph.D. with demonstrated expertise in membrane science and engineering, particularly in the design, synthesis, and characterization of membranes.
• Experience with membrane-based ion separations, membrane synthesis, and advanced materials characterization techniques (e.g., zeta potential, SEM, TEM) is required.
• A strong record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant journals is expected.

Preferred qualifications

• Familiarity with separation science involving rare earth and/or actinide elements, demonstrated innovation in membrane materials for harsh environments, and experience working in multidisciplinary laboratory settings.
• Proficiency in scientific communication, teamwork, and data analysis is essential.

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range:
• Anticipated hiring range: $72,000 - $78,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and names and email addresses of three references. For questions or inquiries please contact Prof. Ilja Popovs, email: ipopovs@utk.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.