Postdoctoral Associate - Membrane Science
Posted date [2026-09-20]
(ID: 52150)
 |
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Job Description and Requirements
Postdoctoral Associate - Membrane ScienceJob Snapshot
Role: Postdoctoral Associate - Membrane Science
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Industry: Higher Education
Function: Research
Experience: Not specified
Job Type: Full Time
Position Overview
New York University Abu Dhabi invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate position within the Water Research Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The researcher will advance next-generation reverse osmosis membrane technologies for sustainable desalination of Arabian Gulf seawater, addressing challenges including high salinity, elevated temperatures, fouling, scaling, and biofouling. The position combines fundamental membrane science with practical desalination research focused on improving membrane permeability, salt rejection, fouling resistance, durability, and energy efficiency.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Higher Education
Function: Research
Salary: Not disclosed
Gender: No Preference
Candidate Nationality: Not specified
Job Type: Full Time
Work Arrangement: On-site
Research Focus
The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative experimental research in polymeric membranes and desalination technologies. The work
covers membrane design, fabrication, characterization, and performance evaluation, with the objective of developing high-performance materials suited to demanding seawater desalination conditions.
A central aspect of the research is establishing relationships between membrane fabrication, structure, properties, and performance while investigating transport, fouling, scaling, cleaning, and other mechanisms that influence long-term membrane operation.
Key Responsibilities
* Conduct independent, high-quality experimental research in membrane science, polymer materials, and desalination technologies.
* Investigate membrane transport, fouling, scaling, and cleaning mechanisms.
* Design, fabricate, modify, and evaluate polymeric membrane materials for reverse osmosis applications.
* Perform comprehensive membrane characterization using advanced analytical techniques.
* Establish fabrication-structure-property-performance relationships for novel membrane materials.
* Analyze experimental results using appropriate scientific and statistical methods.
* Publish research findings in leading peer-reviewed international journals.
* Contribute to the development of intellectual property arising from the research.
* Present research outcomes at national and international conferences, workshops, and seminars.
* Assist with the preparation of research grant proposals.
* Collaborate with members of multidisciplinary research teams.
* Maintain accurate laboratory and experimental records.
* Follow applicable laboratory safety protocols.
* Contribute to student mentoring and collaborative research activities.
Required Qualifications
* PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related discipline.
* Strong experimental research skills supported by evidence of independent scientific productivity.
* Strong publication record appropriate to the candidate\'s career stage.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
* Ability to conduct research independently while contributing effectively to multidisciplinary teams.
Preferred Research Experience
Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
* Development and modification of thin-film composite membranes.
* Sustainable membrane fabrication.
* Membrane fouling and scaling studies.
* Pilot-scale desalination systems.
* Technology translation.
* Industrial research collaboration.
Technical and Laboratory Competencies
The ideal candidate should have hands-on membrane fabrication experience and practical knowledge of relevant characterization and performance-evaluation methods, including:
* Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
* Atomic force microscopy (AFM).
* Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
* Raman spectroscopy.
* X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
* X-ray diffraction (XRD).
* Contact angle measurements.
* Zeta potential analysis.
* Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
* Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
* Universal mechanical testing.
* Porosity and membrane thickness measurements.
* Membrane performance evaluation.
* Crossflow testing.
* Permeability measurements.
Research and Professional Development
The position provides opportunities to conduct internationally competitive research in advanced desalination technologies while developing deeper expertise in membrane materials, membrane engineering, fabrication, and characterization.
The researcher will work with multidisciplinary teams and state-of-the-art research facilities, contribute to high-impact journal publications, present research at scientific platforms, and gain experience in intellectual property and competitive grant development. The research is intended to contribute to solutions addressing regional and global water-security challenges while supporting the development of an international research profile in membrane science and desalination.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit:
* Curriculum Vitae.
* Statement of interest.
* Transcripts for all degrees.
* Two letters of recommendation.
UAE nationals are encouraged to apply.
Supervision
The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct research within the NYU Abu Dhabi Water Research Center under the supervision of Dr. Nidal Hilal.
A central aspect of the research is establishing relationships between membrane fabrication, structure, properties, and performance while investigating transport, fouling, scaling, cleaning, and other mechanisms that influence long-term membrane operation.
Key Responsibilities
* Conduct independent, high-quality experimental research in membrane science, polymer materials, and desalination technologies.
* Investigate membrane transport, fouling, scaling, and cleaning mechanisms.
* Design, fabricate, modify, and evaluate polymeric membrane materials for reverse osmosis applications.
* Perform comprehensive membrane characterization using advanced analytical techniques.
* Establish fabrication-structure-property-performance relationships for novel membrane materials.
* Analyze experimental results using appropriate scientific and statistical methods.
* Publish research findings in leading peer-reviewed international journals.
* Contribute to the development of intellectual property arising from the research.
* Present research outcomes at national and international conferences, workshops, and seminars.
* Assist with the preparation of research grant proposals.
* Collaborate with members of multidisciplinary research teams.
* Maintain accurate laboratory and experimental records.
* Follow applicable laboratory safety protocols.
* Contribute to student mentoring and collaborative research activities.
Required Qualifications
* PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related discipline.
* Strong experimental research skills supported by evidence of independent scientific productivity.
* Strong publication record appropriate to the candidate\'s career stage.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
* Ability to conduct research independently while contributing effectively to multidisciplinary teams.
Preferred Research Experience
Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
* Development and modification of thin-film composite membranes.
* Sustainable membrane fabrication.
* Membrane fouling and scaling studies.
* Pilot-scale desalination systems.
* Technology translation.
* Industrial research collaboration.
Technical and Laboratory Competencies
The ideal candidate should have hands-on membrane fabrication experience and practical knowledge of relevant characterization and performance-evaluation methods, including:
* Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
* Atomic force microscopy (AFM).
* Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
* Raman spectroscopy.
* X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
* X-ray diffraction (XRD).
* Contact angle measurements.
* Zeta potential analysis.
* Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
* Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
* Universal mechanical testing.
* Porosity and membrane thickness measurements.
* Membrane performance evaluation.
* Crossflow testing.
* Permeability measurements.
Research and Professional Development
The position provides opportunities to conduct internationally competitive research in advanced desalination technologies while developing deeper expertise in membrane materials, membrane engineering, fabrication, and characterization.
The researcher will work with multidisciplinary teams and state-of-the-art research facilities, contribute to high-impact journal publications, present research at scientific platforms, and gain experience in intellectual property and competitive grant development. The research is intended to contribute to solutions addressing regional and global water-security challenges while supporting the development of an international research profile in membrane science and desalination.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit:
* Curriculum Vitae.
* Statement of interest.
* Transcripts for all degrees.
* Two letters of recommendation.
UAE nationals are encouraged to apply.
Supervision
The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct research within the NYU Abu Dhabi Water Research Center under the supervision of Dr. Nidal Hilal.
