Computational Geoscience Postdoctoral Research Associate

Search Jobs - INL Professional Careers; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 95,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Geoscience within the Department of Critical Minerals & Geothermal Energy. The role focuses on reactive transport and THMC simulations using FALCON and MOOSE to study geohydrogen production, electrofracturing stimulation, and carbon mineralization.

You will verify models, collaborate with experimental teams, and contribute to publications and proposals while advancing data-driven understanding of rock-fluid

Qualifications

• PhD required by start of appointment and within last 5 years.
• Hands-on multiphysics modeling using FALCON/MOOSE or similar tools with porous-media flow and THMC coupling.
• Strong foundation in finite-element methods and nonlinear solvers; experience with model verification/validation.
• Scientific programming in C++, Fortran, Python, or MATLAB; able to develop automated workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop reactive transport models coupling advection, diffusion, dispersion, and chemistry with thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical processes.
• Implement reaction kinetics, surface area, porosity, permeability, and fracture–matrix exchanges; analyze transport vs. reaction limitations.
• Model hydrogen generation from water–rock reactions and mineral mobilization; evaluate effects of fluid chemistry on reaction progress.
• Couple electrofracturing/electrohydraulic stimulation with reactive transport to assess fracture connectivity and mineral accessibility; simulate circulation and heat extraction in EGS.
• Verify numerical implementations, calibrate/validate against lab or field data, and assess convergence and uncertainty.
• Automate workflows, improve parallel performance, collaborate with experimental teams, publish findings, and contribute to proposals.

Skills

Multiphysics modeling

Scientific programming (C++, Fortran,

Education

PhD in Geoscience/Geochemistry/Engineering/Materials Science/Computational Science

Tools

FALCON

MOOSE

COMSOL Multiphysics

MPI

Python

Job description

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a well-qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Geoscience for the Department of Critical Minerals & Geothermal Energy in the Energy and Environment Science and Technology (EES&T) directorate. This postdoctoral researcher will advance reactive transport and coupled thermal–hydraulic–mechanical–chemical (THMC) simulations emphasizing interactions among fluid flow, heat transfer, geochemical reactions, geomechanics, and evolving rock properties. Simulations will be developed using FALCON (Fracturing And Liquid CONvection) and MOOSE (Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment), or similar tools. Research will address geological hydrogen (geohydrogen) production, electrofracturing stimulation for critical mineral recovery, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), and carbon mineralization. Our team works a 9x80 schedule with every other Friday off.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop reactive transport models using FALCON/MOOSE or similar tools, coupling advection, diffusion, dispersion, aqueous speciation, and mineral dissolution and precipitation with thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical processes.
• Implement reaction kinetics and reactive surface area, porosity, permeability, and fracture–matrix exchange conditions; quantify species transport and elemental mass balances. Evaluate transport-limited versus reaction-limited behavior and represent mineralogical heterogeneity and evolving fluid chemistry across laboratory and reservoir scales.
• Model hydrogen generation through water–rock reactions, critical mineral mobilization and recovery, and carbon mineralization; evaluate how fluid chemistry and operating conditions influence reaction progress and recovery.
• Couple electrofracturing and electrohydraulic stimulation with reactive transport to assess fracture connectivity, fluid access, and mineral accessibility; simulate circulation and heat extraction in EGS.
• Verify numerical implementations, calibrate and validate models against laboratory or field observations, and assess convergence, parameter sensitivity, and uncertainty.
• Automate computational workflows, improve parallel performance, collaborate with experimental teams, publish findings, and contribute to research proposals.

The candidate is expected to be a strong asset to our interdisciplinary R&D team and work effectively both alone and as a team member. The candidate must be self-motivated but also take direction from other team members and peers.

The position entails writing scientific manuscripts for journal publication, and presentation of research results at national and international conferences and meetings.

Required

• PhD in Geoscience, Geochemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, Computational Science, or a related discipline.
• PhD requirements must be completed by commencement of appointment and within the previous 5 years.
• Hands‑on multiphysics modeling experience using FALCON/MOOSE or similar tools, with understanding of porous‑media flow and coupled THMC processes. Demonstrated ability to couple multiple physical processes and interpret chemical and hydrological feedback is essential.
• Foundation in finite-element methods and nonlinear numerical solution techniques, with experience in model verification or validation.
• Scientific programming in C++, Fortran, Python, or MATLAB, with ability to develop, adapt, and maintain numerical modeling components and automated simulation workflows.
• A developing peer‑reviewed publication record, effective communication, and ability to conduct independent research within interdisciplinary teams.

The ideal candidate will possess

• Experience with FALCON and MOOSE Porous Flow, Geochemistry, Solid Mechanics, or Phase Field capabilities, including coupling THMC processes.
• Experience with phase‑field fracture, damage mechanics, constitutive model development, or fracture‑dependent permeability, particularly for brittle geomaterials and hydraulic or electrically driven stimulation.
• Experience simulating reactive transport models, familiarity with thermodynamic databases, kinetic rate laws, and the influence of temperature and fluid composition on mineral reactivity is desirable.
• Experience with nonlinear solvers, Newton’s or quasi‑Newton’s methods, sparse linear algebra, preconditioning, and parallel programming using the Message Passing Interface (MPI). Proficiency with Python scientific libraries; familiarity with COMSOL Multiphysics for complementary simulations and benchmarking.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information

• The pay for this position is $105,144.00 Annually. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.