Molecular Design Foundry: Enabling Separation Processes
A postdoc will design, synthesize, and test new molecules like ionic liquids to solve difficult chemical separations, specifically azeotrope separation.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $82,764 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship to design, synthesize, and test novel molecules (e.g., ionic liquids) to enable challenging chemical separations, focusing on azeotrope separation.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens holding a doctoral degree; research conducted at NIST in Boulder, CO; requires contacting the Research Adviser prior to application.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on the Molecular Design Foundry, a multidisciplinary effort combining predictive modeling, molecular simulation, chemical synthesis, and verification measurements. The goal is to discover innovative substances, such as ionic liquids, that enable chemical separations previously considered unfeasible.
A key challenge addressed is the separation of azeotropic mixtures, a problem of significant industrial importance and difficulty. The research aims to develop novel entrainers—substances that shift thermodynamic equilibrium away from azeotropic compositions—to achieve efficient separations. The postdoctoral associate will lead research efforts, collaborate closely with experts within NIST and affiliated university labs, and take responsibility for authoring patent applications and research publications.
