"Electrochemical Reactor/Cell Engineer – Electro-Deposition: Cell and System Design"

Job Details

Department Summary: The Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) is a cross-campus technology-translation entity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). ICM translates pioneering carbon management solutions from the (laboratory) bench-scale to pre-commercial/commercial-scale devices, prototypes, and (software) solutions. ICM's activities span two major focus areas: (1) Technologies for carbon dioxide removal (from the atmosphere), utilization, and avoidance, and (2) Technologies for creating new supply chains, and processing approaches for critical materials and elements (e.g., Fe, Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Mo, Mg) that are foundational to accelerating the clean energy transition, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of extractive processes. ICM is organized into action teams that are convergent, agile, and world-class. Prominently, these action teams have enabled ICM-born technologies to be awarded the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, and the 2021 Liveability Challenge, among others. ICM's technologies are now being commercialized via spin-out companies including CarbonBuilt Inc., Concrete-AI Inc., and SeaChange Inc.

Position Summary: The Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) is a cross-campus technology-translation entity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). ICM is seeking a hands-on electrochemical engineer to support the cell design, process design, prototyping, and scale-up of electrowinning cells for metal recovery. The successful candidate will lead the development of experimental reactor systems that enable selective metal deposition from ores, while integrating specialized flow paths, solid-handling systems, and HER-suppressing architectures. Solid foundational understanding of transport phenomena and electrochemistry is a must. This role bridges electrochemistry, engineering design and practical implementation, with opportunities to contribute from concept through pilot-scale deployment.

Salary & Compensation: *UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications: 5 or more years Experience in prototyping or operating electrochemical systems, electrolyzers, flow reactors, or similar technologies. (Required) Hands-on experience with electrochemical cells (Required) Experience with electrodeposition systems, electrolyzers, or battery module hardware. (Preferred) Experience performing process modeling such as COMSOL, Ansys, ASPEN, etc. (Preferred) Strong background in aqueous electrochemical systems, and electrodeposition processes. (Required) Strong understanding of electrochemical cell assembly including electrodes, membranes, liquid transport layer and current collectors. (Required) Proficiency with mechanical design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and system integration. (Required) Ability to work independently and communicate results clearly across multidisciplinary teams. (Required) Have a good understanding of lab safety procedures and ability to consistently operate safely. (Required) Demonstrated ability to work independently, build hardware, and iterate quickly based on testing. (Required) Knowledge of fluid dynamics, pressure drop, and flow control in multiphase systems. (Preferred) Familiarity with slurry reactors or solid–liquid–gas reactor design. (Preferred) Passion for advancing sustainable technologies and scalable carbon management solutions. (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations: Bachelor's Degree in Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience (Required) Master's Degree in Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience (Required) PhD in Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field. (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment: Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation. Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment. Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Union/Policy Covered: TX-Systemwide Technical. Complete Position Description: https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Research%20and%20Development%20Engineer%203%20TX%20(TBD_189644)

Organization

Working at University of California, Los Angeles: UCLA is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1919 and is the second oldest of the ten campuses affiliated with the University of California system. UCLA offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines and enrolls about 26,000 undergraduate and about 12,000 graduate students from the United States and around the world every year. UCLA features the College of Letters and Science, seven general campus professional schools, and four professional schools for the health sciences. The UCLA College of Letters and Science has 34 academic departments and 900 faculty, and houses the majority of UCLA's 129 undergraduate majors as well as the students in the Graduate Division of Letters and Sciences. The UCLA College Honors Program is also housed in the College. The College of Letters and Science's programs are divided into five academic divisions: humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, and the International Institute. UCLA also offers certificate programs, undergraduate degree-credit and continuing education credits for non-full-time students through its UCLA Extension education program. The 2010 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked UCLA as the 24th best university in the nation and 32nd best in the world. In the 2007 edition of U.S. News and World Report, UCLA Medical Center was ranked best in the West, as well as one of the top 3 hospitals in the United States alongside Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 15 of the 16 medical specialty areas examined, UCLA Medical Center ranked in the top 20. The campus' location in Los Angeles makes excursions to local museums, theaters, or other entertainment venues relatively quick and easy.