Position Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Ames National Laboratory

Appointment Type:

Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Critical Materials Innovation Hub (CMI), with Iowa State University at the Ames National Laboratory, a Department of Energy National Laboratory affiliated with Iowa State University, is searching for a qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct experimental research in rare earth metallization, critical materials synthesis, materials processing, characterization, extraction, and recycling.

The successful candidate will work with Principal Investigators, CMI scientists, and project collaborators on projects related to critical materials synthesis and processing. The primary focus of this position will be hands-on experimental development of metallothermic routes for producing rare earth metals from rare earth compounds, including oxides, chlorides, and fluorides. This work builds on the “Ames Process” for rare earth metallization and seeks to develop lower-temperature metallothermic approaches that improve yield, purity, metal–slag separation, scalability, and overall process efficiency.

The postdoctoral researcher will prepare and process rare-earth-containing reaction mixtures, including mixing and pre-processing reactants, handling air- and moisture-sensitive materials, loading and sealing reactants in appropriate containers or crucibles, and performing high-temperature reactions using induction heating, tube furnaces, box furnaces, vacuum/inert atmosphere processing, or related thermal processing methods. The researcher will retrieve and separate products after reaction, including rare earth metal or alloy phases and salt/slag byproducts; evaluate metal–slag separation; analyze yields and impurities; and develop improved processing parameters for temperature, time, composition, atmosphere, additives, crucible/container materials, and mixing or stirring methods. The successful candidate will contribute to other ongoing and emerging CMI and Ames National Laboratory projects related to critical materials. These may include synthesis and processing of rare-earth-containing compounds, rare earth and transition-metal intermetallics, magnetic materials, magnet processing, magnet discovery, recycling of critical materials involving hydrometallurgical or wet-chemical recovery routes, mechanochemical synthesis or activation, and preparation of samples for projects involving process optimization, automation, and data-driven materials discovery. This position is primarily intended for a researcher with strong hands-on expertise in materials synthesis, processing, and characterization.

The work will include developing, planning, and performing experiments; maintaining detailed laboratory records; critically analyzing experimental results; optimizing processes to improve yield, purity, reaction completion, phase selectivity, and reproducibility; and generating reports, presentations, and manuscripts for publication. The position requires the ability to work both independently and in a team setting with a diverse group of researchers, including collaborators at national laboratories, universities, and industry. The ability to handle multiple tasks, meet milestones, communicate results effectively, and contribute to quarterly progress reports is essential.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. must be completed prior to start date.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
Experience with high-temperature solid-state synthesis, metallothermic reactions, sealed-tube or sealed-container reactions, induction heating, vacuum, inert or reactive atmosphere processing in tube furnace, or related thermal processing methods.
Strong understanding of phase diagrams, crystallography, CALPHAD, and chemistry of 4f elements is encouraged.
Experience with acquiring and analyzing XRD data, including phase identification, qualitative and quantitative phase analysis by Rietveld refinement. Ability to interpret SEM/EDS, DSC/TGA, ICP-OES or ICP-MS, LECO O/H/N, XRF, magnetic property measurements, NMR, or related characterization data.
Experience with mechanochemistry, ball milling, powder processing, or mechanically assisted synthesis is desirable. Experience with wet-chemistry or hydrometallurgical methods, extraction, or recycling of rare earths and other critical elements is also desirable.
Ability to communicate effectively through written reports, oral presentations, manuscripts, and interdisciplinary team discussions, and to work collaboratively while maintaining accurate laboratory records and meeting project milestones.

Department Unit/Website (if applicable):
www.ameslab.gov

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

List of Professional References

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Proposed Start Date:

October 1, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

Post Docs

Original Posting Date:

June 26, 2026

Posting Close Date:

July 26, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19519

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.