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Penn State University · 1 month ago

Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Mineral Characterization and Processing

Penn State University Park

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

Penn State University is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join their research team focused on advanced materials characterization, mineral processing, and hydrometallurgy processes. The successful candidate will work on interdisciplinary projects focused on critical mineral recovery, particularly in sulfide minerals and coarse particle separation.

Higher Education

Responsibilities

Perform mineralogical and chemical characterization of ores using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), ICP-OES, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA)

Conduct research on coarse particle separation, including the application and evaluation of HydroFloat technology within modern mineral processing circuits

Utilize advanced electrochemical techniques to study reactions on the mineral-solution interface(e.g., OCP, LSV, CV, Chronoamperometry, EIS)

Design hydrometallurgy experiments (controlled leach tests, column leach tests)

Support process integration studies involving comminution, classification, and leaching to improve recovery efficiency and reduce environmental impact

Apply insights from mineral characterization to understand structure-reactivity relationships and guide process optimization

Contribute to data interpretation, technical reporting, peer-reviewed publications, and collaborative proposal development

Work closely with graduate students, technical staff, and external collaborators

Qualification

Mineral characterizationHydrometallurgyElectrochemical techniquesProcess modelingMineral processing circuitsResearch productivityCommunicationCollaborative work

Required

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline

Hands-on experience with mineral characterization techniques, including XRD, XRF, ICP-OES, SEM, and MLA

Strong understanding of mineral processing circuits, with experience in comminution, classification, leaching, and coarse particle flotation (HydroFloat)

Excellent communication skills, demonstrated research productivity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Preferred

Familiarity with process modeling and simulation tools such as HSC Chemistry, JKSIMMet, or advanced modeling techniques like DEM (Discrete Element Method) and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) is advantageous