Postdoc - The Sustainable Energy and Environmental Systems Department

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; California, Berkeley (MO, CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join their dynamic team in the Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts Division. This role focuses on developing an analytical framework for energy demands in industrial processes, utilizing advanced data analytics and modeling techniques. You will explore clean technologies, assess their impacts, and contribute to innovative solutions for energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Join a collaborative environment where your research will shape the future of sustainable energy practices and environmental impact reduction. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts and make a substantial impact in the field.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in engineering, physical sciences, or environmental studies required.
• Experience in industrial energy and technology assessments is essential.
• Strong understanding of TEA principles and analytical model development.

Responsibilities

• Analyze energy use profiles by disaggregating them into unit operations.
• Lead analyses in industrial energy use and decarbonization strategies.
• Publish findings in conference papers and peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Project Management

Data Analytics

Education

Ph.D. in Engineering

Ph.D. in Physical Sciences

Ph.D. in Environmental Studies

Tools

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA)

Data Analytics Tools

Job description

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the team.

The Sustainable Energy and Environmental Systems (SEES) Department at LBNL analyzes potential environmental and economic benefits, scalability issues, barriers, and market and policy opportunities for emerging energy, environmental, and climate technology solutions. Our analyses utilize tools such as life-cycle assessment, complex systems modeling, atmospheric and human health impacts modeling, geographical information systems (GIS), and scenario analysis to identify research and policy pathways that maximize benefits across energy, climate, economics, ecology, health, and society.

As a postdoctoral fellow, you will provide technical and scientific leadership, focusing on developing a comprehensive analytical framework for analyzing energy demands in industrial processes at the unit operation level. This involves gathering data for 50-70 U.S. industrial processes and analyzing energy demand profiles by disaggregating into unit operations, estimating efficiencies, and identifying opportunities for energy and carbon reductions through advanced solutions.

You will explore emerging clean technologies for energy-efficient unit operations, assess their impacts via data analytics, and evaluate decarbonization solutions. The goal is to deepen understanding of energy flows, identify cross-sector solutions, and support environmental impact reduction through technology adoption.

What You Will Do:

• Analyze process-specific energy use profiles by disaggregating them into unit operations and mapping these profiles by operational and thermodynamic characteristics.
• Lead analyses in areas such as industrial energy use, decarbonization, electrification, techno-economic assessment (TEA), life-cycle assessment (LCA), and GHG mitigation strategies.
• Assess sustainable energy technologies through engineering evaluations, including process integration and system studies.
• Conduct techno-economic research on energy and resource savings and simulate costs and benefits of energy technologies and policies.
• Publish findings in conference papers, reports, and peer-reviewed journals.
• Participate in project management, stakeholder engagement, and funding activities.
• Create and deliver presentations for conferences and workshops, fostering collaborations within LBNL.

What is Required:

• Ph.D. in engineering, physical sciences, or environmental studies.
• Experience in industrial energy, resource analyses, and technology assessments.
• Knowledge of high-impact industries such as chemicals, refining, steel, cement, food, and pulp & paper.
• Familiarity with material flows, energy end-uses, and environmental impacts in these sectors.
• Experience analyzing at least one industrial sector's energy use and unit operations.
• Strong understanding of TEA principles and analytical model development.
• Excellent communication skills, with a publication record.
• Proven ability to present research and engage stakeholders.
• Effective time management and collaboration skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of life-cycle analysis (LCA).
• Skills in quantifying drivers and barriers for sustainable energy adoption.
• Understanding of socio-political aspects of energy systems.
• Programming skills for data analytics and tool development.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with principal investigators.

Application Materials:

• Detailed CV
• Research statement (2 pages max)
• Contact info for 3-5 references
• Diversity statement (1 page max)

Visit https://recruiting.lbl.gov/ for more about Berkeley Lab's culture and benefits.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, 2-year postdoctoral position with possible renewal. Candidates should have less than 3 years of postdoctoral experience. Salary depends on experience.
• The position is represented by a union, with salaries set per union contract.
• Background checks are possible; convictions are evaluated for relevance.
• Work location: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA.

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.