Postdoctoral Research Associate

Washington University in St. Louis

Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join Professor Richard Axelbaum's research group at Washington University in St. Louis. Our research focuses on advanced combustion and energy conversion technologies, including Staged, Pressurized Oxy-Combustion (SPOC), an innovative technology for efficient power generation with carbon capture. The successful candidate will take a leading role in experimental research using our existing pressurized combustion facility, including experimental planning, facility operation, troubleshooting, and system improvements. The position may also provide opportunities to contribute to the design and development of a larger, 5 MW thermal pilot-scale facility. We are particularly interested in candidates who enjoy experimental research and have demonstrated experience working directly with complex engineering equipment.

Position Type: Full-time, on-site

Duration: Two-year appointment

Salary: $64,380–$70,000 per year

Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Start Date: As soon as mutually convenient

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct experimental investigations involving pressurized combustion and related thermochemical processes.
• Develop experimental procedures, test plans, and operating protocols.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and improve existing high-temperature, pressurized experimental facilities.
• Work with advanced instrumentation, gas analysis equipment, process controls, and data acquisition systems.
• Analyze experimental data and evaluate combustion performance, heat transfer, and process efficiency.
• Assist with engineering and scale-up activities associated with a proposed 5 MW thermal pilot facility.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and staff, and prepare technical reports and publications.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience designing, constructing, operating, or troubleshooting complex experimental engineering systems.
• Strong background in combustion, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, or chemical reaction engineering.
• Experience with experimental instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Ability to independently plan and execute experimental research.
• Strong problem-solving, technical communication, and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience operating pilot-scale experimental facilities, particularly high-pressure, high-temperature systems such as gasifiers, combustors, or chemical reactors.
• Experience with coal combustion, coal gasification, biomass conversion, or related thermochemical processes.
• Experience with pressurized gas handling systems, solids feeding, and gas analysis.
• Familiarity with Aspen Plus for process simulation and ANSYS Fluent for computational fluid dynamics.
• Experience with process control and data acquisition tools, including LabVIEW, MATLAB, or Python.
• Familiarity with piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), pressure-system safety procedures, and experimental equipment design.

Benefits

• Eligibility for Washington University postdoctoral benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement benefits in accordance with university policies.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should apply directly by email to Professor Richard Axelbaum at [email protected].

Email Subject: Application – Postdoctoral Research Associate

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae: A current CV, including a list of publications.
• Statement of Experimental Experience: A brief statement (one page maximum) describing hands-on experimental experience. Applicants should highlight the most complex experimental facility they have personally operated, including:
• Operating pressure, temperature, and capacity
• Individual responsibilities in facility operation
• Examples of equipment troubleshooting, modifications, or improvements
• Professional References: Names and contact information for three professional references.

Applications will be reviewed as received, and the position will remain open until filled.