Post-Doctoral Researcher
Through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), this posting seeks a post-Doctoral researcher to engage in projects with the Research Innovation Center (RIC) at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in the area of Critical Minerals and Materials MYRP, under the mentorship of Kristen Fauria. This project will be hosted at the NETL Albany, OR campus.
The DOE’s National Energy Technology Lab increasingly plays a key role in defining the market-driven pathways and hurdles for critical mineral recovery from conventional and unconventional domestic feedstocks (e.g., graphite from coal or gallium from bauxite). We are seeking a postdoctoral scholar who can participate in research on market demand and sufficiencies for critical minerals, critical mineral supply-chain opportunities and bottlenecks, and/or analysis and design of market structures to incentivize critical mineral production. The postdoctoral scholar will collaborate with a team of scientists, engineers, and economists at NETL while conducting research in critical mineral resource economics that connect with DOE critical mineral program goals. Example research questions to be addressed include: What are the most impactful gaps in domestic supply chains for rare earth elements and graphite? What market conditions would facilitate a domestic supply chain?
With this educational opportunity, we plan for the postdoctoral scholar to gain proficiency and expertise related to the market/s of specific critical minerals (e.g., rare earths, gallium, or graphite). In addition, we will support the postdoc in their professional development. This includes options for mentoring support on the following:
1) designing and implementing studies with impactful and applied research goals;
2) practicing research communication in a variety of formats (written, oral) and to a broad group of stakeholders;
3) gaining familiarity with DOE funding structures;
4) proposal writing; and
5) collaborating with colleagues in similar and disparate disciplines.
The postdoctoral scholar will be encouraged to identify their broader career goals and develop a professional network within NETL and DOE