Postdoctoral Researcher – Feedstock Production Life Cycle Analysis
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Location: Lemont, IL
- Job Number: 7105770 (Ref #: 413655)
- Posting Date: Jul 19, 2022
- Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
The Fuels and Products Group within the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis Division at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking qualified applicants for a Post-Doctoral Researcher position, conducting life cycle analysis (LCA) of bioenergy and agricultural systems. A successful candidate will assess the environmental impacts of biofuel feedstock production systems and agriculture systems by developing new datasets and applying models to provide rigorous and objective results to support decarbonization of transportation and agricultural sectors.
The candidate will work on projects where the links between the decarbonization of U.S. agriculture and the production of low-carbon intensity (CI) feedstock for biofuels and bioproducts are evaluated. Current project opportunities include i) quantifying soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestrations and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with current and emerging farming practices/technologies adopted in feedstock production for biofuels and bio-products, ii) developing detailed strategies in the decarbonization of agricultural systems with the consideration of GHG reduction potential, practice/technology maturity, and geographic specification. These projects involve collaborations with the scientists/researchers from universities, other national laboratory partners, and industrial partners and commutations with sponsors and stakeholders through presentations, journal articles, and reports. The candidate may also have the opportunity to work on projects jointly supported by commodity crop organizations.
The Fuels and Products Group of the Systems Assessment Center in the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis Division at Argonne National Laboratory supports DOE and other sponsors to assess the energy and environmental outcomes associated with fuels, products, and integrated systems in order to guide R&D efforts, identify improvement opportunities, and to create new approaches for LCA/sustainability analysis to address emerging issues related to biofuels and agriculture. The Systems Assessment Center continues a 30-year history of leadership in the field of LCA. Postdoctoral Researchers will join project teams including experts in a variety of topics relevant to their work and will regularly collaborate with experts from Argonne as well as in industry and at other national laboratories. The Systems Assessment Center develops and maintains the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model, which is widely used by government, industry, and academic stakeholders to provide objective and rigorous results (see greet.es.anl.gov). Results from the Postdoctoral Researchers’ work may be incorporated in annual GREET updates.
Position Requirements
Ph.D. degree in agronomy, soil science, environmental science, or other related fields.
Expertise in topics related to SOC sequestration and GHG emissions in agroecosystems.
Skilled written and verbal communicator, including the ability to present complex information at all levels of the organization.
A successful candidate must have the ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork
Preferred qualifications include:
Knowledge and experience in running process-based models for agroecosystems (e.g., CENTURY, DAYCENT, and DNDC).
Experience in data-driven environmental analysis and ability to identify emerging topics and data sources and engage experts to conduct research.
Familiarity with various farming practices and data/information available from published literature.
Experience with programming software/languages (e.g., Excel VBA scripting, R, Python, or ArcGIS (or related software) preferred).
Familiarity of LCA models such as the GREET model (greet.es.anl.gov) is a plus.
Problem-solving, quantitative, and critical thinking skills in energy systems and relevant issues.; intellectual curiosity. Able to structure and formulate solutions to complex problems.
Motivated and oriented with the ability to work independently and in close collaboration with team members.
Job Family
Postdoctoral FamilyJob Profile
Postdoctoral AppointeeWorker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)Time Type
Full timeAs an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Argonne is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity in our workforce. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne prohibits discrimination or harassment based on an individual's age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
