Postdoctoral Appointee – Chemical Recycling of Polymers

The Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division at Argonne National Laboratory welcomes applications for a Postdoctoral Appointee to join our Polymer Upcycling Team.

In this role, you will contribute to a collaborative, multidisciplinary research program focused on the chemical recycling of polymers and organometallic catalysis. You will work alongside scientists with diverse expertise to design, synthesize, and characterize new recyclable polymer systems, while evaluating their thermomechanical properties. The position also offers the opportunity to investigate catalytic reaction mechanisms through reaction kinetics and complementary physical organic and inorganic chemistry approaches.

This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career scientist who is passionate about sustainable materials, catalysis, and fundamental mechanistic research.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize new recyclable polymers
• Evaluate the thermomechanical properties of polymeric materials
• Conduct research on chemical recycling processes and organometallic catalysis
• Perform mechanistic studies using reaction kinetics analysis and related physical organic and inorganic techniques
• Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research team
• Communicate research findings clearly through written reports, presentations, and publications

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in field of Polymer Science, Organic Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, or a closely related field

• Experience in scientific application knowledge and practical laboratory experience

• Demonstrated experience in the synthesis and characterization of highly air-sensitive transition metal complexes

• Experience in the synthesis of polymeric materials

• Strong understanding of kinetics and thermodynamics as they relate to catalysis

• Experience designing, conducting, and interpreting experiments to investigate catalytic reaction mechanisms

• Proficiency in written and verbal scientific communication

• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), rheology, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy

• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

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Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.