UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate for the Fusion Technology and Materials for Extreme Environments Convergent Research Initiative. Experience in the areas of lithium chemistry, sintering, powder metallurgy and chemical engineering. This position requires a background in either Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or equivalent advanced degree (PhD) and demonstrate the ability to publish peer reviewed papers using sound principles and strategic approaches to their research.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

The appointment would be a limited term appointment, approximately 6 months with the possibility of renewal.

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or equivalent advanced degree.

• Knowledge and experience in laboratory management, including but not limited to:

  • Export Control

  • Inventory

  • Student Training

  • Chemical Inventory Management and Purchasing

• Experience in the areas of lithium chemistry, sintering, powder metallurgy and chemical engineering.

• Demonstrated ability to publish peer reviewed papers using sound principles and strategic approaches to their research, at least two first author publications in peer reviewed journals, with co-authorships from collaborations in the laboratory.

• Experience in manuscript writing, conference presentations, and grant proposal support.

• An ability to:

  • Conduct research and development within a collaborative environment.

  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

  • Manage interpersonal conflicts skillfully.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

• Strong team player with excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

• Mentorship experience of undergraduate and/or graduate students (preferred).

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three references. For questions or inquiries please contact Dr. Caen Ang, email: cang@utk.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

About The Institute

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) was launched by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021, in response to America’s need for a stronger pool of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent.

UT-ORII is leveraging its joint UT-ORNL resources to foster an earlier interest in STEM in Tennessee schools, grow its interdisciplinary graduate programs, and accelerate collaborative discovery and innovation in convergent research initiatives of critical importance to the nation and to Tennessee.

The position requires a background in either Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or equivalent advanced degree (PhD) and demonstrate the ability to publish peer reviewed papers using sound principles and strategic approaches to their research.

• Applied research in the areas of lithium chemistry, hydrogen chemistry, sintering, powder metallurgy and chemical engineering.

• Publish research in the form of reports and / or demonstrate the ability to publish peer reviewed papers using sound principles and strategic approaches to their research.

• Laboratory management, including but not limited to Export Control, Inventory, Student Training, Chemical Inventory Management and Purchasing. The expected hardware for responsibility includes metallography tools, furnaces, glove boxes and simple, mechanical equipment.

• Oversee radiological upgrade procedures, including documentation and adjustments to existing SOWs to Rad Worker I or II equivalent operations.

• The candidate is also expected to leverage their capability in conjunction with the research team in the 2nd year, with performance metrics aiming for 25% recovery.