Job Openings
Now Available: Positions at Conn Center
Research center with university and state priority has immediate need for top-, mid-, and student level researchers.
The Conn Center provides leadership, research, support, and policy development in renewable energy; advances the goal of renewable energy; and promotes technologies, practices, and programs that increase efficiency in energy utilization.
The Conn Center's R&D themes are: Solar Manufacturing R&D; Solar Fuels; Biofuels & Biomass Conversions; Energy Storage; Advanced Energy Materials; Materials Characterization; and Energy Efficiency.
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Research Associates & Post-doctoral Fellows & Scholars
Open positions will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions"; formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal.
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.
Senior Research Scientists/Engineers
The Conn Center currently seeks Senior Research Scientists/Engineers to serve as Theme Leaders for manufacturing R&D in: Energy Storage; Advanced Energy Materials; and Energy Efficiency.
Theme Leaders will ensure smooth establishment, operation, and maintenance of the research facilities that enable the academic and industrial research agenda, and contribute toward developing an extramurally funded research program. Will have multiple responsibilities: evaluate, select, and apply standard engineering procedures and techniques to multiple complex assignments and investigator-directed studies involving experimentation and innovation; develop and implement standard procedures for testing and optimization; participate in results analysis and research projection; oversee graduate student and post-doctoral scientist training; participate in research projects and grant proposal writing; and produce peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations. These Senior Research Scientists/Engineers report directly to the Conn Center Director.
Ph.D. required, preferred in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or related discipline. Demonstrated research and development experience with product commercialization, equipment systems design and development, and theme-specific processes and equipment. The ideal candidates will also have significant experience securing funding in applied R&D areas and demonstrated leadership in university-industry partnerships. Manufacturing experience is a plus. Must be self-motivated to work independently, have the ability to meet deadlines, work well with others, and possess innovative problem-solving skills.
Open position will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions." Formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal.
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.
Post-doctoral Scholar: Finite Element Analysis
The Conn Center seeks a post-doctoral scholar focused on Finite Element Analysis. The ideal candidate will work within a multi-disciplinary academic and industry team to study cement kiln processes to improve the energy efficiency of their operation.
Duties include modeling of a cement kiln using a multi-physics analysis that includes complete thermal and chemical processes as well as designing both a laboratory kiln and full-scale processing. High-level data analysis and assessments, report and grant/manuscript writing, and oral presentations on a regular basis are expected.
Must hold a PhD in mechanical engineering from an accredited institution with a strong skillset in finite element analysis using multi-physics packages such as ANSYS or COMSOL. The preferred analysis techniques include thermal (non-linear), chemical reactions, and solid and fluid flows. Ability to formulate, plan, and conduct research with defined objectives and outcomes within budget and time constraints, work independently and cooperatively in a creative lab environment, exercise high-level scientific judgment and initiative, and deliver exceptional oral and written communications are required. Industry experience preferred.
The candidate will work directly with Thad Druffel, PhD, PE, the Theme Leader of the Solar Manufacturing R&D at the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research within the University of Louisville. His experience spans over 25 years of research and development in several engineering disciplines at the corporate and academic levels. This work brings together experience in manufacturing, controls, and computer modeling.
Open position will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions." Formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal. (Job ID: 37561. Open Friday, June 28 - Monday, July 8, 2019)
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.
Post-doctoral Fellow: Roll-to-Roll Materials Development
The Conn Center seeks a Post-doctoral Fellow focused on materials development innovations for Roll-to-Roll (R2R) manufacturing toward renewable energy solutions with commercial potential. Specifically, the Fellow will: a) synthesize and optimize photovoltaic nanomaterials for low-cost solar cells; and b) develop R2R manufacturing technologies for large-scale deployment.
Candidate will synthesis and characterize various nanomaterials and flexible transparent conducting electrodes for photovoltaic applications; will use solar cell characterization techniques including I-V and efficiency measurements and utilize inkjet printing, nanoimprinting, and plasma cleaning methods for R2R technology development. Duties include operation of novel material synthesis process equipment for experiments as well as high-level data analysis and statistical assessments, report and grant/manuscript writing, and oral presentations on a regular basis.
Must hold Ph.D. in electrochemistry, materials science, physics, chemical engineering, and/or related fields with a strong background in R2R R&D. Hands-on experience with nanomaterials synthesis and polymer fabrication, characterization, and testing are preferred. Ability to formulate, plan, and conduct research with defined objectives and outcomes within budget and time constraints, work independently and cooperatively in a creative lab environment, exercise high-level scientific judgment and initiative, and deliver exceptional oral and written communications are required.
Open position will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions"; formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal.
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.
Post-doctoral Fellow: Lithium Ion Batteries - Materials Development
The Conn Center seeks a Post-doctoral Fellow focused on innovations for hybrid nanowire architectures toward renewable energy solutions with commercial potential. Specifically, the Fellow will: a) synthesize and optimize modified high-performance active nanomaterials for lithium ion batteries; and b) develop, test, and analyze anode/cathode/electrolyte dynamics for stable, high capacity technologies.
Candidate will synthesize and characterize electrode materials, test with potentiostat/galvanostat techniques and impedance spectroscopy, and conduct circuit modeling; will use XRD and Raman for electrode materials characterization and train others in these techniques. Duties include operation of novel materials synthesis process equipment for experiments as well as high-level data analysis and statistical assessments, report and grant/manuscript writing, and oral presentations on a regular basis.
Must hold Ph.D. in electrochemistry, materials science, physics, chemical engineering, and/or related fields with a strong background in lithium battery R&D. Hands-on experience with nanomaterials synthesis and XRD, Raman, and other characterization techniques including electronic/ionic conductivity measurements are preferred. Ability to formulate, plan, and conduct research with defined objectives and outcomes within budget and time constraints, work independently and cooperatively in a creative lab environment , exercise high-level scientific judgment and initiative, and deliver exceptional oral and written communications are required.
Open position will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions"; formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal.
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.
Post-doctoral Fellow: Bulk Materials Production
The Conn Center seeks a Post-doctoral Fellow focused on innovations for the bulk production of nanowires toward renewable energy solutions with commercial potential. Specifically, the Fellow will: a) develop high-performance materials for lithium ion batteries and solar technologies; and b) develop, test, and optimize plasma reactor operations.
Candidate will conduct large-scale production of nanowires and other related materials with plasma and CVD reactors using innovative synthesis methods; must demonstrate ability to design, fabricate, assemble, operate, and optimize reactors based on plasma and electrical heating sources for scalability toward commercial production and train others in these techniques. Duties include operation of nanomaterial synthesis process equipment for experiments as well as high-level data analysis and statistical assessments, report and grant/manuscript writing, and oral presentations on a regular basis.
Must hold Ph.D. in electrochemistry, materials science, physics, chemical engineering, and/or related fields with a strong background in process engineering and development, nanomaterials synthesis, plasma physics, and materials characterization and application toward renewable energy solutions. Hands-on experience with plasma reactors, nanowire and nanopowder production and development, XRD, SEM, TEM, UHV surface science spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy techniques are preferred. Ability to formulate, plan, and conduct research with defined objectives and outcomes within budget and time constraints, work independently and cooperatively in a creative lab environment , exercise high-level scientific judgment and initiative, and deliver exceptional oral and written communications are required.
Open position will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions"; formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal.
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.
Post-doctoral Associate: Statistics/Informatics Modeling for Energy Materials Discovery
The Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research has a one-year opening for a Post-doctoral Associate focused on statistical and informatics modeling research for energy materials discovery in a NSF-funded project. Specifically, he or she will be responsible for high-level analysis of data using statistical techniques, report and grant/manuscript writing, and oral presentations on a regular basis.
The candidate should have a doctoral degree in Statistics or Materials Science or a related field (Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, etc.) and at least MS-level training in statistics. Strong programming skill is a must. Knowledge in R and Bayesian computing is preferred and knowledge with materials science fundamentals would be helpful. Must have demonstrated ability to formulate, plan, and conduct research with defined objectives and outcomes within budget and time constraints.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills, high level of scientific judgement and initiative, and the ability to work independently as well as cooperatively in a creative lab environment are required.
Open position will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions"; formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal.
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.
Post-doctoral Associate: Biomass Conversion and Biofuels Development
The Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research seeks a Post-doctoral Fellow focused on biofuels and biomass conversion development innovations toward renewable energy solutions with commercial potential. Specifically, the post-doctoral fellow will: (a) develop, test, and optimize processes to convert biomass to hydrolyzates; (b) undertake fundamental and testing studies of ultra-deep desulfurization studies using novel catalysts produced; (c) develop processing technologies to convert hydrolyzates into fuels and value-added chemicals; (d) synthesize and evaluate catalytic materials and processes for conversions from biomass, oils, etc. to fuels and value-added chemicals; and (e) develop and validate economic models for the above.
Duties include design of experiments, operation of process equipment at lab and pilot level, as well as high-level data analysis and statistical assessments, report and grant/manuscript writing, and oral presentations on a regular basis.
Must hold a Ph.D. in chemistry, materials science, physics, chemical engineering (preferred), and/or related fields with a strong background in biofuels/biomass R&D. Hands-on experience with biomass conversion processes, catalyst materials synthesis, characterization, and testing are preferred. Ability to formulate, plan, and conduct research with defined objectives and outcomes within budget and time constraints, work independently and cooperatively in a creative lab environment, exercise high-level scientific judgment and initiative, and deliver exceptional oral and written communications are required.
Open position will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions"; formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal.
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.
Post-doctoral Associate: Ultrafast Transient Absorption Spectroscopy
The Conn Center seeks a Post-doctoral Fellow focused the use of spectroscopic techniques to investigate the structure, properties and dynamics in molecules, molecular systems and materials. The selected candidate for this position will be responsible for executing studies on solar cells using an existing transient absorption spectroscopy system. The current research project aims to understand the photoinduced electron-transfer dynamics in novel organic solar cells and nanoparticle/nanowire-based dye-sensitized solar cells. The selected candidate will be expected to design and develop new experimental apparatuses for ultrafast laser spectroscopy with the principal investigator.
Must have PhD in chemistry, physics, and/or related fields with hands-on experience in ultrafast laser systems and optical techniques such as time-resolved photoluminescence, femtosecond pump-probe, or photoluminescence up-conversion. A background in instrumental programming (Labview) is also required; familiarity and experience with solar cells is highly desired. Knowledge and experience in computational chemistry will be a plus. Ability to formulate, plan, and conduct research with defined objectives and outcomes within budget and time contraints, work independently and cooperatively in a creative lab environment, exercise high-level scientific judgement and initiative, and deliver exceptional oral and written communications in English are required.
Open position will be posted online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/currentopenings under "Staff Positions"; formal applications must be made through this UofL HR portal.
Additionally, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three references to theconncenter@gmail.com for consideration at any time.