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Postdoctoral Associate
  • Job Number: 23128
  • Functional Area: Research - Engineering
  • Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • School Area: Engineering
  • Employment Type: Full-Time Temporary
  • Employment Category: Exempt
  • Visa Sponsorship Available: Yes
  • Schedule:


Job Description

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), to be jointly advised by Professor Desiree Plata (CEE) and Professor John Hart (Mechanical Engineering) to study nanostructured materials for the catalytic conversion of methane and engineered reactor systems to house those catalysts.  Will join a diverse research group at MIT in which environmental chemists and engineers focus on the sustainable development of industrially important materials and processes.  Responsibilities include collecting and analyzing gaseous samples from waste gas pyrolytic systems, training other visitors in the collection and analysis of such samples, and working with the principal invenstigator to craft both technical notes and scholarly publications.  The timeline for the project is aggressive (one-year). 

Professors Plata and Hart are committed to supporting the candidate their scholarly development.  

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or materials science, including experience in Earth science or related field; experience with thermal reactor design and construction; knowledge of materials science and reactor engineering; highly effective oral and written communication skills as evidenced by published first-author publications; strong organizational skills; and the ability to work as part of a research team.  PREFERRED:  experience constructing reactors, performing feasibility calculations, and optimizing reaction conditions.  Job #23128

Additional details about the position are available by contacting Professor Desiree Plata at dplata@mit.edu.

In addition to applying online via the MIT website, applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references (all as PDFs) directly to Professor Plata.  Applicants will be reviewed as received.

The position has an anticipated start date of October 16, 2023. The initial appointment is for one year. 

8/25/23