Postdoctoral Appointee: Battery Recycling Researcher

The Applied Materials Division (AMD) at Argonne National Laboratory conducts applied research to develop sustainable innovative technologies to improve the efficiency of resource and energy utilization; to minimize our dependence on imported energy; and to enhance our national security.

A post doc position is now open in the Materials Recycling R&D Group. The position is focused on battery recycling R&D. This candidate will join a team developing and testing material separations and recycling operations and will help contribute to that team. The candidate is not required to have but would benefit from a good understanding of lithium-ion battery systems and performance characteristics. The work will involve R&D on a broad range of separation technologies as well as pilot plant design, installation, and operation. Experience in direct recycling and hydro/pyro-based recycling processes a plus. Additionally, some work will include cathode synthesis. Due to the chemical and mechanical nature of the processes being worked on, mechanical aptness is very helpful to be successful in this position.

Position Requirements

• A recent (0-2 years) Ph.D. Degree in engineering, chemistry, or similar degree.

• Understanding of lithium-ion batteries and how they work.

• Understanding of the materials used to make lithium-ion batteries.

• Knowledge of materials separation equipment and techniques.

• Ability to work with hand tools and building/adapting equipment.

• Ability to work well within a team as well as alone.

• Skilled in oral and written communications at all levels of the organization.

• A successful candidate must have the ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries.

• Knowledge metallurgical separation technologies.

• Experience with equipment installations and start-up/debug.

• Experience in process development and plant design.

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