Summary
The HERD Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for a funded post-doctoral researcher position to develop a transformational solid-state electrochemical membrane reactor for direct depolymerization of plastic waste. The goal of the project is to synthesize metal oxide materials, fabricate solid-state membranes and high active area metallic supports via additive manufacturing, and integrate them into an electrochemical reactor able to convert an incoming flow of polymer waste. The reactor will be fabricated, assembled, and tested in a custom test cell and operated in atmospheric and pressurized conditions. Custom electrochemical and system models will be developed to support the experimental design and data analysis.
More specifically, the work will focus on:
- Synthetize metal oxide materials and develop slurries for thin-film casting
- Develop porous support metal structures with novel topologies for high active area density
- Integration and assembly of a functioning electrochemical reactor
- Test and characterize the electrochemical performance and durability of the prototype
- Developing models to reproduce the electrochemical performance of electrochemical depolymerization of polymers
- Develop multi-physics models to unveil electrochemical and chemical mechanisms, and guide the experimentation
The post-doctoral researcher will help build an interdisciplinary and dynamic team of researchers focusing on electrochemical energy conversion systems, hydrogen, electro-fuels, and industrial decarbonization. The candidate will supervise and mentor graduate students and help the PI manage the laboratory. The post-doctoral candidate will have the possibility of interacting with national and international research groups, national labs and private companies. While pursuing their independent research projects, the candidate will be expected to spearhead new research directions and collaborate with the PI to write new grant proposals. The candidate will also be expected to communicate research findings via peer-reviewed journal publications, presentations at national and international conferences, social media, and traditional news channels to increase the impact of their research.
Research Motivation
In 2019, global plastic production was ~368 Mt, of which 57 Mt were produced only in the U.S. The domestic plastic and petrochemical industries are expected to grow at an average rate of 8.5% per year, yet only <7% of U.S. plastic products are currently recycled (15% globally), while the rest are either incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged. Persistence of polymers in the environment negatively impacts air and water quality for the global population, especially in disadvantaged communities, while jeopardizing biodiversity. But this harmful waste can be channeled into resources. Waste plastics contain abundant, valuable, and energy dense molecules useful for the chemical and fuel industry; and recovering the atomic content of such waste products could help synthesize value-added products from waste (upcycling). The Hydrogen and Electrochemistry Research for Decarbonization (HERD) Laboratory, led by Dr. Luca Mastropasqua, seeks to study, develop, and characterize an innovative solid-state electrochemical membrane reactor and its thermal integration to create a transformative waste plastic upcycling process via high-temperature electrochemical hydrogenative depolymerization of long amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers, specifically focused on polyolefins and polymers with high glass transition temperature. Among electrochemical cells, solid-state ceramic membranes have the distinct advantage of operating near the temperature ranges of typical industrial processes for polymer upgrading, chemicals and fuels synthesis (≈300°C). This combines the advantages of thermochemical reactors, fast reaction kinetics and high yields, with those of electrochemical conversion, namely high selectivity, flexible off-design operation, and seamless integration with renewable energy sources.
Qualifications
Required qualifications:
- A degree in Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering
- Experience with electrochemistry, ceramic cells manufacturing and testing
- Experience with polymer science and depolymerization mechanisms
- Passionate about scientific research, sustainability, and energy
- Willing and excited to work in teams
- Comfortable public speaker to disseminate their research and communicate progress to their peers
- Excellent writer of scientific reports and peer-reviewed journal publications
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Adept at learning new technology and/or software
- Ability to creatively solve problems and work independently and proactively
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience in fabrication of solid-state perovskites electrochemical membranes
- Experience with polymer characterization methods (NMR, FTIR, liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC))
- Experience with imaging characterization methods (XRD, SEM-EDS, XRF, XPS, Raman AFM, etc.)
- Have laboratory experience, or be comfortable in designing experimental methodologies, collecting, and analyzing data
- Have experience with developing numerical simulation codes using diverse programming languages (e.g., COMSOL, Python, Matlab, R, C++, Fortran)
Stipend
The selected applicant will be appointed as a Post-Doctoral Researcher with a stipend in the range $52,000-$56,000 per year plus benefits.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit an application to Dr. Luca Mastropasqua at luca.mastropasqua@wisc.edu with the following information: 1) a CV, 2) a one-page personal statement describing your scientific interests and career objectives, 3) unofficial transcripts, and 4) contact information of three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. We expect the start date to be September 1st, 2024.
Before submitting an application, please learn more about the Office of Postdoctoral Studies.
University and Community
The University of Wisconsin–Madison (Founded: 1848) is a public land-grant university and major research institution. Our students, staff, and faculty engage in a world-class education while solving real-world problems. With public service — or as we call it, the Wisconsin Idea — as our guiding principle, we are creating a better future for everyone. UW-Madison has been ranked 38th overall and 10th among public institutions (both in three-way ties) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 rankings of best colleges. Total student enrollment is 48,000 of which approximately 14,000 are graduate and professional students, and there are over 24,232 between faculty and staff.
UW-Madison has a strong culture of collaboration across fields, and the selected graduate student will interact with researchers from diverse fields, including chemical engineering, material science, and environmental engineering. UW-Madison is an exciting place to learn and conduct research! The city of Madison ranks as one of the most attractive places in the U.S. to live and work.
For information about the campus and city, please see link.
UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
COVID-19 considerations
UW-Madison continues to follow necessary health and safety protocols to protect our campus from COVID-19. All employees remain subject to the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-5086.
Please visit https://covidresponse.wisc.edu/ for the most up-to-date information.