Position Title: Post Doctoral

Employee Classification: Post Doctoral

College/Division: Engineering College

Department: 360300-CHEMICAL & MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  60,000

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team at New Mexico State University to advance the recovery of critical rare earth elements (REEs) from coal fly ash. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in the field of materials science and
chemical engineering.

Classification Summary:
Assist, instruct and function as a role model for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in a relevant research program.

Classification Standard Duties:
Supervise, direct, delegate and evaluate work of assigned staff. Oversee and/or conduct research. Assist in technical support for the delegated project. Create new opportunities by preparing and submitting new project proposals to national funding agencies. Perform related duties as required.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Education- Doctorate degree in related field.; Experience- No previous work experience required.; Equivalency- None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of university and department policies and procedures; principles and practices of organization and administration; principles of supervision, training, mentoring and performance evaluation; research techniques and designs; methodologies; data collection and analysis.
Skills in short- and long-range planning; problem analysis and resolution; report preparation and presentation; public contact and relations; oral and written communication; literature reviews and compilation; material development for scientific and non-scientific audiences; grant writing and peer reviewed publications; modification of existing models or development of new models. The applicant may be responsible for, but not limited to, assisting in technical and outreach support in the department and organizing outreach events and conferences addressing activities associated with the research project.
Ability to direct, evaluate, train and supervise the work of assigned personnel; develop and maintain effective working relationships; maintain accurate and orderly records; use independent judgment and initiative; organize and direct activities; analyze and evaluate information; make presentations; work as a member of a team; write technical reports, conference presentation papers, peer-reviewed journal articles and grant proposals.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
The postdoctoral researcher will conduct literature review, computational, and experimental studies related to the phase behavior of rare earth elements and organic acid chelators in supercritical carbon dioxide co-solvent systems. The research will support the broader project to improve the recovery of rare earth elements from coal fly ash. The postdoc will work under the direction of Dr. Sergio Martinez-Monteagudo and Dr. Catherine Brewer to perform experiments on solubility of chemical compounds (e.g., organic acids, minerals, and others), develop the respective phase diagrams, and design separation strategies. The candidate will assist with the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students working on the research projects and will prepare drafts of manuscripts, presentations, and funding agency reports.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Catie Brewer, cbrewer@nmsu.edu, (575) 646-8637

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed indoors.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.