Job Description

The Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks a qualified, highly motivated individual for a unique research position in chemical separations of rare earth elements. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students and is expected to play an active role in the research conducted in Dr. Aaron Noble's group, which focuses on critical material recovery from unconventional sources.

The Chemical Specialist will be responsible for developing and performing rare earth separation tests utilizing standard procedures and methods. The successful candidate will maintain a detailed experimental notebook and preform quality assurance and quality control testing to verify the suitability of various procedures. The Chemical Specialist will develop standard operating procedures for new testing protocols and train new users as needed. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to co-author products that emerge from these efforts including sponsor reports and peer reviewed manuscripts.

Required Qualifications

* Demonstrated experience working in a wet laboratory.
* Demonstrated organizational, communication, and collaborative research skills.
* Experience working independently with little direct supervision.
* Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices in the laboratory.
* Basic computer skills with Microsoft suite programs like Excel for data management.

Preferred Qualifications

* BS in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a related field.
* Previous research/university experience.
* Prior experience with hydrometallurgical processes, including leaching, liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption, and/or related methods.
* Prior experience in rare earth element or critical mineral processing.
* Prior experience with mineral digestions, including strong acid digestions, fusions, and/or microwave-assisted digestions.

Pay Band

3

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience up to budget maximum

Review Date

10/20/2023

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.