Position Description

Postdoctoral Researcher on
Critical Minerals and Carbon Sequestration Innovation

The unprecedented demand for critical minerals requires new technologies to improve domestic supply chains. Current extraction methods leave considerable amounts of toxic waste and have a high carbon footprint. Synthetic biology and microbial processes discovery in combination with mineralogy and geochemistry, provides new frontiers for sustainable energy innovation, accelerating weathering, and carbon storage. To solve the supply challenges of energy-critical elements, we spearheaded an interdisciplinary project to develop engineered microbes capable of dissolving rocks with low energy and carbon input that will provide elements for energy technologies and carbon mineralization.

This project builds upon a long-term collaboration between the Barstow (Biological and Environmental Engineering) and Gazel (Earth and Atmospheric Sciences) groups, which has successfully developed engineered microorganisms for extracting and separating rare earth elements, magnesium, nickel, and cobalt from different critical mineral feedstocks. The two groups meet every two weeks and members of the groups communicate daily and move seamlessly between the two labs. This project comes with significant entrepreneurial opportunities and potential for commercialization. Our collaboration already resulted in the successful startup, REEgen, Inc., founded by a graduate student and postdoc from our previous project, and a new startup in process by two graduate students and a postdoc.

We are seeking a postdoctoral associate for the mineralogy and geochemistry components, under the supervision of Prof. Esteban Gazel at the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University, with proven research on mineralogy/geochemistry/petrology and expertise in bulk (e.g., XRF, XRD, ICP-MS) and in-situ (SEM/EMPA/TEM, LA-ICP-MS, Raman/FTIR) mineral characterization techniques. The postdoc’s tasks will involve the characterization of rock feedstocks that will be used before and after bioleaching experiments, evaluating the record physiochemical processes of mineral-microbe interactions in the experimental residues, and conducting mass balance, efficiency assessment, and optimization. The postdoc will also conduct abiotic experiments to evaluate the role of fluid composition of mineral carbonation. Finally, the postdoc will participate in field expeditions (e.g., mines, weathering profiles, serpentinization environments, acid drainage, etc.) for sample collection. Requirements: - A Ph.D. in geosciences with emphasis on mineralogy/geochemistry/petrology, proficiency in science communication (written and oral) with evidence of peer review publications, and enthusiasm to work as part of an interdisciplinary group working on solving critical mineral challenges. Applications for this position must be submitted using the following link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31890

Submitted applications require the following documents: 1) CV; 2) short statement of research (no more than two pages) interests in line with the project; 3) names and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin on April 30, 2026. For more information about this position, contact Prof. Esteban Gazel at egazel@cornell.edu

Pay Ranges: $62,232 - $88,745

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

●       Prior relevant work or industry experience.

●       Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.

●       Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

●       Unique applicable skills.

Cornell University seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples, has a Dual Career program, and is a member of the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual career searches including positions available in higher education in the upstate New York area.

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