Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Iowa invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the research group of Dr. Zhe (Andy) Wang (https://engineering.uiowa.edu/directory/zhe-andy-wang (https://engineering.uiowa.edu/directory/zhe-andy-wang)).

The position supports a newly funded, multi-year research program focused on developing an energy-efficient system for producing nitric acid directly from air, water, and electricity. Direct nitrogen oxidation faces a long-standing trade-off between reaction rate and energy efficiency. The program addresses this challenge by integrating non-equilibrium plasma, plasmonic catalysis, thermal conversion, and electrochemical processes for nitric acid formation and concentration.

The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will contribute to experimental research involving plasma reactor operation and diagnostics, plasma-catalyst integration, reactor performance evaluation, and prototype development. The successful candidate will work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team and will have opportunities to contribute to both fundamental studies and the development of integrated reactor systems.

The initial appointment is scheduled to end on August 18, 2027, with the possibility of annual renewal based on satisfactory performance and the availability continued funding, for an anticipated total duration of up to three years. Salary and benefits will follow University of Iowa postdoctoral policies.

• Commission, operate, and troubleshoot plasma reactor systems.
• Characterize plasma conditions using optical and electrical diagnostics and relate plasma properties to reaction performance.
• Integrate plasma sources with catalyst beds and evaluate plasma-catalyst reactor performance.
• Contribute to reactor design reviews, prototype troubleshooting, and the fabrication and integration of scaled-up modules.
• Maintain careful experimental documentation and contribute to technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers and contribute to a collaborative and safety-conscious laboratory environment.

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field, completed prior to the start date.

• Substantial hands-on experimental experience designing, assembling, operating, or troubleshooting laboratory-scale reactor, plasma, or related experimental systems.
• Experience working with relevant experimental hardware, such as vacuum systems, gas-handling systems, high-voltage equipment, plasma sources, or electrochemical systems.
• Experience with quantitative measurement and analysis of chemical reaction or reactor performance using at least one relevant method, such as optical spectroscopy, plasma diagnostics, gas analysis, gas chromatography, or mass spectrometry.
• Demonstrated research productivity and effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research team.

Experience or demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas is desirable; candidates are not expected to have experience in all areas:

• Nonthermal plasma systems, including microwave, radio-frequency (RF), dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), or nanosecond-pulsed plasma systems.
• Plasma diagnostics, including optical emission spectroscopy (OES), electrical diagnostics, or Langmuir probes.
• Plasma-assisted catalysis, nitrogen oxidation, NOx chemistry, or related nitrogen-conversion processes.
• Reactor, transport, or plasma modeling using COMSOL Multiphysics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), kinetic modeling, or related approaches.
• Materials characterization using techniques such as SEM/TEM, XPS, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, or Raman spectroscopy.
• Prototype development, reactor scale-up, or integration of multiple experimental subsystems.
• Collaboration on interdisciplinary projects involving academic, industrial, or national-laboratory partners.
• Prior experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate researchers.