New

Postdoctoral Scholar

The Pennsylvania State University
remote work
United States, Pennsylvania, University Park
201 Old Main (Show on map)
Apr 03, 2026
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants. This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the termlengthdiscussed willbebasedonuniversityneed,performance,and/oravailabilityoffunding. POSITION SPECIFICS Dr. Mohammad Rezaee is seeking highly motivated Postdoctoral Researchers to join a newly funded, NSF-supported project under the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge (STRIDE Ventures). The project focuses on developing architecture-specific, modular technologies to transform electronic waste into manufacturing-ready critical materials, including but not limited to precious metals, rare earth elements. This effort is led by Intel-E-Waste, a startup translating research into deployable infrastructure, with Penn State as a key research partner. The selected candidate will work at the interface of mechanical processing, chemical separation, and system integration for next-generation recycling technologies. Key Responsibilities * Design and execute experiments in metal recovery and separation * Utilize advanced characterization techniques * Develop and optimize process flows for targeted material streams * Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (engineering, chemistry, industry partners) * Support scale-up activities and prototype development * Publish high-impact research in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to technical reports Qualifications Required: Ph.D. in Mineral Processing, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field by the start date. Experience in physical separation, hydrometallurgy, separations, or recycling technologies Strong experimental and analytical skills Proficiency in data analysis and scientific writing (evidenced by publication record) Available to start immediately Creative problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. Preferred: Experience with critical materials (including rare earth and precious metal) recovery and separation Ability to work in interdisciplinary and applied research environments Start Date The position is available immediately, and an early start is preferred. Why Join This Project Work on a nationally recognized NSF-supported initiative Contribute to U.S. critical materials and supply chain resilience Engage in a project bridging research and real-world deployment Collaborate with academic, startup, and industry partners Opportunity to shape next-generation Critical Minerals and Materials infrastructure Location Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA). How to Apply Applicants should submit (1) a current curriculum vitae, (2) a maximum two-page statement of research interests and experiences relevant to the required qualifications, and (3) a list of three professional references. The review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled. BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. BENEFITS Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit ourBenefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.) CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). 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