Prof. Lei Pan’s research group at Michigan Technological University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in hydrometallurgical refining and lithium-ion battery recycling.
The successful candidate will contribute to externally funded research focused on the hydrometallurgical processing of mine tailing and recycled battery materials. The position will focus on both bench-scale work and pilot-scale validation.
This postdoctoral researcher will work in an interdisciplinary team at the interface of mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and process scale-up.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties
1. Design and conduct laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments in hydrometallurgical operation.
2. Develop and optimize unit operations such as physical separation, leaching, impurity removal, solvent extraction, ion exchange, precipitation, crystallization, filtration, and product purification.
3. Establish mass balances, evaluate process kinetics and selectivity, analyze scaleup data, and support techno-economic and sustainability assessments when appropriate.
4. Characterize feed materials, intermediates, and products using appropriate analytical tools, such as, XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, particle size analysis, and others.
5. Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, technical reports for sponsors, presentations, and contributions to new research proposals.
6. Mentor and supervise both graduate students and undergraduate researchers working on related projects.
7. Support day-to-day project management, including planning experiments, coordinating laboratory resources, documenting data, and communicating progress to the PI and project team.
8. Maintain a strong safety record by following university policies, developing and updating SOPs, conducting risk assessments, and promoting a positive safety culture in the laboratory and pilot facilities.
9. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
10. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures
- PhD in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field. Candidates must have completed all PhD requirements by the appointment start date.
- Demonstrated graduate-level or professional research experience in hydrometallurgy, and/or mineral processing, or closely related domains.
- Hands-on experience designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results for publication-quality research.
- Experience working safely with chemical processes, laboratory equipment, and research documentation in a laboratory or pilot-scale environment.
Desirable Education and/or Experience
- 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, solvent extraction, precipitation, crystallization, or electrowinning.
- Prior postdoctoral, industrial, national laboratory, or externally funded project experience is beneficial but not required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
- Ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and communicate technical results clearly in written and oral formats.
- Ability to publish research findings in the field of critical mineral processing and relevant fields.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary 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.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
- Experience with advanced characterization methods such as S-TEM, TGA/DSC.
- Familiarity with process simulation software, mass-balance calculations, kinetic modeling, statistical analysis, or data-driven process optimization.
- Demonstrated record of high-quality publications, proposal contributions, sponsor reporting, or student mentoring.
- Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.
Work Environment and/or Physical Demands
- Work will be performed in office, laboratory, and pilot-scale research settings. The work environment may include routine use of chemical fume hoods, reactors, filtration equipment, pumps, analytical instruments, and pilot-scale processing equipment.
- The position may require standing for extended periods, handling laboratory samples and chemicals, lifting or moving research materials within safe limits, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and following all applicable laboratory safety procedures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.
Required University Training:
- Employee Safety Overview
- Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
- Annual Data Security Training
- Annual Title IX Training
Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
The minimum salary for this position is $60,000 . The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.
Title of Position Supervisor
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 Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or [email protected].
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 effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The Annual Security 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.
In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
