Postdoc Positions Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological researchuniversity founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus issituated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic UpperPeninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the bestuniversities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’sflagship technological university offers more than 185 and degree programs. Researchfocus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive,environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-roundrecreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, andpaddling. The University is an integral part of the region,supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride inbeing a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense ofadventure, and originality.

Prof. Lei Pan’s research group at Michigan Technological University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in hydrometallurgical refining and lithium-ion batteryrecycling.

The successful candidate will contribute to externally fundedresearch focused on the hydrometallurgical processing of minetailing and recycled battery materials. The position will focus onboth bench-scale work and pilot-scale validation.

This postdoctoral researcher will work in an interdisciplinary team at the interface of mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, andprocess scale-up.

• 1. Design and conduct laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments inhydrometallurgical operation.
• 2. Develop and optimize unit operations such as physicalseparation, leaching, impurity removal, solvent extraction, ionexchange, precipitation, crystallization, filtration, and productpurification.
• 3. Establish mass balances, evaluate process kinetics andselectivity, analyze scaleup data, and support techno-economic andsustainability assessments when appropriate.
• 4. Characterize feed materials, intermediates, and products usingappropriate analytical tools, such as, XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, particlesize analysis, and others.
• 5. Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, technicalreports for sponsors, presentations, and contributions to newresearch proposals.
• 6. Mentor and supervise both graduate students and undergraduateresearchers working on related projects.
• 7. Support day-to-day project management, including planningexperiments, coordinating laboratory resources, documenting data,and communicating progress to the PI and project team.
• 8. Maintain a strong safety record by following universitypolicies, developing and updating SOPs, conducting riskassessments, and promoting a positive safety culture in thelaboratory and pilot facilities.9. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies andapplying them to everyday work. Actively engage in Universitycontinuous improvement initiatives.
• 10. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices toeveryday work.

• PhD in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, MiningEngineering, Materials Science and Engineering, EnvironmentalEngineering, or a closely related field. Candidates must havecompleted all PhD requirements by the appointment start date.

• Demonstrated graduate-level or professional research experiencein hydrometallurgy, and/or mineral processing, or closely relateddomains.
• Hands-on experience designing experiments, collecting andanalyzing data, and interpreting results for publication-qualityresearch.
• Experience working safely with chemical processes, laboratoryequipment, and research documentation in a laboratory orpilot-scale environment.

• Research experience in lithium-ion battery recycling,nickel/cobalt refining, or primary nickel ore processing.
• Experience with bench- or pilot-scale hydrometallurgical systems,including leaching, solid-liquid separation, ion exchange, solventextraction, precipitation, crystallization, orelectrowinning.
• Prior postdoctoral, industrial, national laboratory, orexternally funded project experience is beneficial but notrequired.

• Ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journalsand communicate technical results clearly in written and oralformats.
• Ability to publish research findings in the field of criticalmineral processing and relevant fields.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to amultidisciplinary research team.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple experimental tasks and deadlines.
• Commitment to laboratory safety, responsible conduct of research,and mentoring of students in safe research practices.

• Experience with advanced characterization methods such as S-TEM,TGA/DSC.
• Familiarity with process simulation software, mass-balancecalculations, kinetic modeling, statistical analysis, ordata-driven process optimization.
• Demonstrated record of high-quality publications, proposalcontributions, sponsor reporting, or student mentoring.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to,working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds andviewpoints.

• Work will be performed in office, laboratory, and pilot-scaleresearch settings. The work environment may include routine use ofchemical fume hoods, reactors, filtration equipment, pumps,analytical instruments, and pilot-scale processing equipment.
• The position may require standing for extended periods, handlinglaboratory samples and chemicals, lifting or moving researchmaterials within safe limits, wearing appropriate personalprotective equipment, and following all applicable laboratorysafety procedures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enableindividuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performedand the results received and assessed.

1

Exempt

12 months

The minimum salary for this position is $60,000 . The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Associate Professor

Internal & External

Yes

This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before October 31, 2026

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the HumanResources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.

Other Conditions of Employment: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effectivedate of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal OpportunityEducational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The AnnualSecurity and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

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