ResponsibilitiesThe Chemical and Biological Processing Group is seeking a Postdoc Researcher to carry out research in hydrothermal processing of biomass and detailed characterization of HTL products. The successful candidate will have experience with hydrothermal liquefaction, wet oxidation, or other related hydrothermal processing technologies.
The successful candidate will:
- Conduct independent research and contribute to multidisciplinary team assignments involving hydrothermal process development.
- Safely operate laboratory-scale reactor systems.
- Carry out detailed analysis of the oil, aqueous, solid, and gas phases from hydrothermal biomass processing
- Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentations, and other project deliverables.
- Present research results at technical conferences, sponsor meetings, and project or program reviews.
- Contribute to the development of research proposals, intellectual property, and new technical capabilities.
- Maintain a strong commitment to safe, rigorous, and reproducible laboratory research.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience conducting independent scientific or engineering research.
- Direct experience in hydrothermal liquefaction research
- Hands-on experience operating laboratory-scale batch or continuous-flow hydrothermal reactor systems.
- Design of laboratory and/or pilot scale hydrothermal process reactors
- Familiarity with biomass-derived intermediates, oxygenates, biocrudes, waste-derived feedstocks, or catalytic upgrading pathways to fuels and chemicals.
- Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and technical presentations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.
- Experience with classical separations such as liquid-liquid extraction, chromatographic separations, or distillation
- Demonstrated interest in translating fundamental scientific understanding into scalable and deployable chemical processes.
- Experience using large language models, agentic workflows, or generative AI to support literature analysis, hypothesis generation, data interpretation, or research automation is a plus.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot Applicable.
Testing Designated PositionThis is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum SalaryUSD $69,000.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $119,100.00/Yr.
