Are you ready to be part of cutting-edge research at the heart of one of the nations premier institutions? The Institute for Decarbonization and Energy Advancement (IDEA) at the University of Kentucky (UK) is on the lookout for dynamic and innovative researchers to join our world top tier team with a positive, motivating and rewarding working environment, modeled as a 21st century Bell Laboratory on emissions and sustainability. This is an opportunity to participate on projects 35 years in length, initially, and implement your ideas from conception to demonstration and ultimately to scale-up and commercialization.
About Us:
At UK IDEA, we pride ourselves on tackling some of the most pressing environmental and energy challenges. Our institute, backed by a rich history since 2006 and currently funded at $5-7M annually, is at the forefront of research innovation. Recently ranked No. 6 on the 2023 list of Americas Best Large Employers by Forbes, and recognized as a Great College to Work For, for five consecutive years, the University of Kentucky provides an exceptional work environment. Read more about the groups accomplishments at: http://uknow.uky.edu/research/unique-public-private-research-consortium-established-caer-co2-capture-pioneers.
Benefits Beyond Compare:
When you join our team, you not only become part of groundbreaking research but also gain access to a comprehensive benefits package. Enjoy a 200 percent match on eligible retirement contributions, competitive health, dental, and vision coverage, tuition benefits for classes at UK, and more.
About this Position: This position plays a key role in CO2-related research in the University of Kentucky College of Engineerings Institute for Decarbonization and Energy Advancement (UK IDEA). The applicant will oversee a group of projects on CO2 capture and utilization in the bench and pilot-scale.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Plans, develops, coordinates, and directs several large and significant projects and the work of the staff of scientists, engineers, and technicians assigned to projects.
- Provides annual project plans and tracks project progress and commitments, including staffing, budget, and equipment. Provides project and staff evaluation reports. Directs and organizes problem-solving and troubleshooting for projects or leads discussions to promptly resolve project roadblocks.
- Participates in strategic planning (understanding markets, competitors for research funds, state-of-the-art technology and equipment). Reviews schedules, costs and documentation to ensure success Is responsible for maintaining positive relationships with major customers/sources of external research and development contract funding.
- Prepares final, closeout, and kickoff presentations. Leads intellectual development activities, including per-review manuscripts. Works with upper management to develop new research directions/areas. Effectively uses peer network to expand technical capability and business development opportunities. Plays a key role in acquiring research funding; identifies sources of new contract funding. Evaluates the progress of the project and results obtained and recommend major changes to achieve overall project objectives.
- Interacts with funding agencies/partners to report project progress and status and meet all funding agency requirements. Reviews schedules, costs and documentation to ensure project success. Interacts with unit teams to monitor project progress, including regular meetings and review of written monthly reports to strategically plan and update the schedule and scope of the projects.
- Interact with industry host sites to ensure policies, procedures and agreements are followed, and good relationship is maintained.
- Serves as an influential resource to UK, UK IDEA, and its customers for problem resolution, meeting client/customer needs, and identifying research opportunities. Participates in committees, forums, sponsor meetings, and workshops. Presents papers, leads symposia, and chairs committees; participates on advisory/policy boards, journals and societies; serves as a peer reviewer of major technical programs; networks nationally and internationally.
Job Requirements
- Be able to work in multiple Lexington offices with travel to Pennsylvania site and put in full days of work there.
- Occasional shift work, as assigned, to meet project requirements.
- Maintain knowledge of and follow all UK, group, and host site policies and procedures.
- To meet project requirements, lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects, climb stairs and ladders, work outdoors, wear all PPE, sitting for long periods of time, standing, and walking.
- Adept at computer and engineering software use.
- Previous experience with process equipment (heat exchangers, pumps, blowers, etc.), process instrumentation (temperature, pressure, pH, flow, etc.), process controls (LabView, DeltaV, PLCs)
- Knowledge of amine-based CO2 capture solvent chemistry, speciation and physical properties.
- Knowledge of chemical process unit operations.
- Knowledge of advanced mathematical concepts and modelling.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally, written.
- Have regular meeting and training attendance.
- Accept other responsibilities, as assigned or as needed.
- Maintain positive interaction with colleagues and external contacts.
- Maintain a clean, clutter-free, organized, professional work/laboratory spaces and office environments.
- Provide frequent, unsolicited reporting of progress and results, daily or weekly.
Why Join Us:
At UK IDEA, you will experience rewarding and fulfilling work with high job satisfaction, intellectual stimulation, and opportunities for performance-based promotions. Collaborate with globally recognized researchers, enjoy flexibility in pursuing personal research interests, and be part of a vibrant and growing research institute.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must be safety conscious, self-motivated, reliable and able to work in multiple locations. It is vital that this position collaborates with fellow researchers and has the ability to work both independently and with a team. Because of compelling public safety requirements, this position may require pre-employment drug screening and follow-up random drug and alcohol screenings.
Seize this opportunity to be at the forefront of research excellence at the University of Kentucky! Apply now to be a part of our innovative team and contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future.
The Department of Energy (DOE) requires that all foreign nationals associated with this grant be submitted for review and consideration. The successful candidate will be expected to satisfy the outlined requirements for foreign nationals. A foreign national is defined by DOE as any person who is not a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization. To further understand the details of these requirements, please go to: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/100-series/0142.3-BOrder-b/@@images/file.