Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Inorganic Chemistry and Rare-Earth Separations - UTK

University of Tennessee · Knoxville

This position involves experimental research on rare-earth element separations, with emphasis on lanthanide coordination chemistry, liquid-liquid extraction, nanoparticle/colloid synthesis and self-assembly, and nanoscale characterization. The main tasks include preparing rare-earth-containing complexes and nanoassemblies, designing extraction and separation experiments, quantifying metal concentrations and separation factors using ICP-MS and/or ICP-OES, and characterizing particle size, morphology, and structure using techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and X-ray methods. Duties include technical interactions with undergraduate and graduate students, contributing to and developing research initiatives, writing peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, presenting research results, and technical management of research activities. The initial appointment would be a limited term appointment, approximately 1 year with the possibility of renewal for future years.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

This position will conduct experimental research on rare-earth separations, with emphasis on lanthanide coordination chemistry, liquid-liquid extraction, synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles and self-assembled nanoscale materials, and quantitative elemental analysis. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and national user facilities to connect molecular-scale coordination and nanoscale structure with separation performance.

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