Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The Staff Scientist will conduct and lead research on the heterogeneous catalysis of renewable feedstocks—such as lignin and carbohydrates—using advanced spectroscopic and synthetic tools, including high-temperature and high-pressure in-situ NMR. This position will support the design of novel catalytic systems, optimize pretreatment strategies for microbial upgrading, and deploy in-situ analytical techniques to uncover mechanistic insights. The Staff Scientist will also mentor junior researchers, facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to grant development and scientific communication efforts.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Catalytic System Development and Mechanistic Study

• Lead research on the development and mechanistic evaluation of heterogeneous catalytic systems for biomass-derived and plastic waste feedstocks.
• Use in-situ NMR spectroscopy and complementary analytical methods (e.g., GC-MS, GPC, solution and solid-state NMR) to study reaction pathways and catalytic performance.

Pretreatment Optimization & Reaction Engineering

• Design and implement chemical pretreatment strategies (e.g., reductive catalytic fractionation) to enhance lignin monomer yield, minimize recalcitrant by-products, and improve downstream microbial substrate compatibility.

• Collaborate closely with synthetic biologists and microbial engineers to ensure alignment with metabolic conversion goals.

Analytical Method Development

• Develop and validate experimental workflows to characterize complex reaction systems.

• Employ in-situ solid-state and solution NMR, as well as in-situ small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), to monitor dynamic interfacial phenomena, solid–liquid interactions, and transient intermediate structures with robust data analysis and uncertainty propagation.

Mentorship and Collaboration

• Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate researchers in experimental design, reactor operation, data interpretation, and scientific presentation.

• Facilitate effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Scientific Communication and Grant Development

• Support writing of grants, project reports, and peer-reviewed publications.

• Represent the research team in internal meetings and at national/international scientific conferences.

• Contribute to the professional development of team members through knowledge sharing and best practices.

Working Conditions:

• Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.

• Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Laboratory Operations (3 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in biomass conversion, heterogeneous catalysis, or advanced spectroscopic analysis (e.g., NMR, SANS).
• Proven track record of independent research and scientific publication.
• Postdoctoral training or equivalent industry experience in biomass pretreatment, catalytic process development, or operando spectroscopy.
• Expertise in lignin valorization, high-pressure reaction systems, or biorefinery process integration.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and mentoring junior researchers.
• Proficiency in advanced analytical tools including in-situ NMR (MAS, high-pressure), SANS, GC-MS, and GPC.
• Strong foundation in catalytic reaction engineering and biomass processing, especially lignin-first app