Postdoctoral Appointee: Membrane Separations

Argonne National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy multidisciplinary science and engineering research center, is committed to finding solutions for national priorities, including advancing critical material technologies and meeting society’s growing needs for water and energy resources. The Applied Materials Division focuses on bridging the gap between research and real-world applications. By collaborating closely with industry partners, academic institutions, and other national laboratories, researchers translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that address societal needs and drive economic growth.

The Pressure-Driven Membrane Separations Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct in-situ experimental studies on membrane degradation using advanced characterization techniques (e.g., optical coherence tomography and X-ray imaging). The project will include exploring new membrane materials, exploring degradation mitigation strategies, and guiding next-generation membrane design for improved resilience and long-term performance. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with interdisciplinary research teams, collaborate with universities, industry, and national laboratory partners, and contribute to the development of separation technologies for energy, water, and critical resources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and apply in-situ methods (e.g., optical coherence tomography and/or X-ray techniques) to monitor fouling, scaling, and other degradation processes.

• Conduct experimental studies on fouling and scaling in pressure-driven membrane systems (UF, NF, RO) under realistic operating conditions.

• Explore and evaluate mitigation strategies to improve membrane longevity and resilience in water and resource recovery applications.

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to integrate findings into system-scale designs.

• Document progress and results in the form of reports to collaborators and sponsors, journal publications, and conference presentations.

• Contribute to the development of new research directions aligned with program goals.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field with 0 to 2 years of experience.

• Demonstrated understanding of membrane separation processes and principles.

• Hands-on experience in experimental system design, instrumentation, and automation.

• Knowledge and experience with analytical techniques (e.g., chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy).

• Experience with fouling/scaling studies and/or in-situ characterization.

• Ability to develop independent research projects, demonstrated through publication of peer-reviewed literature.

• Problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify technical challenges, develop innovative solutions, and implement practical strategies.

• Skilled communication and interpersonal skills at all levels of the organization.

• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

• On-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois.

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $70,758.00-$117,925.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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