Postdoctoral Researcher – Process modeling and sustainability analysis for lignin valorization

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 77,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Pension plan

403(b) plan

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, invites applications for a full‑time Postdoctoral Researcher in the Economic, Sustainability, and Market Analysis group. The appointment is for one year with possible renewal up to three years, focusing on bioenergy cost analyses and lignin valorization.

The role involves using Aspen Plus and other process-modeling tools, conducting biorefinery assessments, collaborating with experimental teams, and publishing results in peer‑reviewed

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical engineering or related field
• Research experience in chemical process development
• Experience with Aspen Plus process modeling
• Experience with statistical analysis (sensitivity/uncertainty)

Responsibilities

• Develop biorefinery analyses to support lignin valorization
• Plan and execute research and analyses for CBI projects
• Communicate results in writing and oral presentations
• Collaborate with engineers, chemists, and biologists in a large team

Skills

Process development

Statistical analysis

Python

R

Education

PhD in chemical engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

Brightway

openLCA

SimaPro

Job description

Job Description

The Catalytic Carbon Transformation & Scale-Up Center at NLR has an opening for a full time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Economic, Sustainability, and Market Analysis group. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years. This position will work primarily on a Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI) project, in which we are developing new approaches to cost-effectively convert biomass into realistic biofuels. https://cbi.ornl.gov/ The successful candidate will work closely with the CBI Lignin Valorization team to conduct biorefinery analyses related to lignin valorization to fuels and chemicals. Analyses will be used to guide experimental R&D and thus a close connection to experimental efforts will be critical. The candidate will work with both AspenPlus and other process modeling tools. The successful candidate will be able to: assimilate a wide variety of information into assessments contribute to the planning and execution of research and analysis communicate scientific results effectively, both written and oral author peer-reviewed publications, and work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers, chemists, and biologists.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Research experience with an emphasis on chemical process development
• Demonstrated experience with process modeling with Aspen Plus
• Demonstrated experience with doing statistical analysis (ie sensitivity or uncertainty)
• PhD degree in chemical engineering or related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with programming codes such as Python or R
• Demonstrated experience with LCA tools such as Brightway, openLCA or SimaPro
• Understanding of biomass conversion research and knowledge of lignin deconstruction chemistries
• Relevant experience with sustainable materials and green chemistry practices

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400 NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance*; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. * Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce. The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy. NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP before commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).