Associate Research Scientist/CAER

Job Title: Associate Research Scientist/CAER Requisition Number: RE54779 Department Name: 40550:Ctr For Applied Energy Res Work Location: Lexington, KY Grade Level: 46 Salary Range: $52,021-85,800/year Type of Position: Staff Position Time Status: Full-Time Required Education: MS Required Related Experience: No experience required. Required License/Registration/Certification: None Physical Requirements: Lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 50 lbs. Shift: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. occasional nights and weekends. Deadline to Apply: 06/17/2026 Job Summary Over the past 30 years, the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) has built up an outstanding research program directed toward the development of energy and environmental technologies. CAER is staffing up its Sustainable & Alternative Fuels group and seeks an Associate Research Scientist . The person will be primarily responsible for developing and optimizing catalytic processes for the production and upgrading of fuels and related products, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. The position will involve experimental work in catalysis, reaction engineering, and fuel characterization using laboratory- and process-development-scale systems. Responsibilities Conduct fundamental and applied research on catalytic processes for the conversion and upgrading of biomass-derived and waste-derived feedstocks to renewable fuels and chemicals. Design, operate, and optimize laboratory- and pilot-scale reactor systems used to evaluate catalyst and process performance. Develop experimental methods to better understand reaction pathways, catalyst activity, selectivity, stability, and deactivation mechanisms. Characterize catalysts, feedstocks, and products using advanced analytical tools (e.g., GC, GC-MS, XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, BET). Maintain lab protocols and safety procedures. Assist PI with writing proposals, reports, and preparing technical presentations for sponsors. Present research findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals. Collaborate with internal and external researchers and stay informed with advances in catalysis, renewable fuels, and sustainable aviation fuel research. Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities This is an intermediate level – developing, maturing professional – requiring a master’s degree in chemistry or other physical sciences or equivalent experience related to area of specialization. The incumbent independently evaluates, selects, and applies standardized analytical procedures and techniques; scopes tasks, develops approaches for moderately difficult tasks. Assignments have clear and specified objectives, and require the investigation of a limited number of variables. The incumbent relies on limited experience and exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices in making minor adaptations and modifications. Interacts in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals; provides ideas to improve efficiency at group level. Continues to enhance capabilities for project planning, including assessment of cost, scope and schedule against plan. Performance at this level requires developmental experience in a professional position, or equivalent graduate level education. Other Details Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No The University follows both federal and state constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen. #J-18808-Ljbffr