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, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

 

POSITION SPECIFICS

Dr. Thandazile Moyo and Dr. Olumide Ogunmodimu are 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. Particular focus on sulfide minerals, looking at coarse particle separation, electrochemistry of bio-mineral systems,  and computational modeling of metallurgical systems.

Key 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Applicants should submit (1) a current curriculum vitae, (2) a detailed 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. This position is funded for one year from the date of hire, with the possibility of renewal based on funding availability and satisfactory performance.

 

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 our Benefits 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). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

 

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