Computational Geoscience Postdoctoral Research Associate

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

3h

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Geoscience for the Department of Critical Minerals & Geothermal Energy within the Energy and Environment Science and Technology directorate. The researcher will advance reactive transport and coupled thermal–hydraulic–mechanical–chemical (THMC) simulations focused on interactions among fluid flow, heat transfer, geochemical reactions, geomechanics, and evolving rock properties. Simulations will use FALCON (Fracturing And Liquid CONvection), MOOSE (Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment), or similar tools. Research areas include geological hydrogen production, electrofracturing stimulation for critical mineral recovery, enhanced geothermal systems, and carbon mineralization.

The candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary R&D team, work independently and collaboratively, and take direction from team members and peers. The position includes writing scientific manuscripts for journal publication and presenting research at national and international conferences and meetings. The team works a 9x80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Requirements

• 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 five years.
• Hands-on multiphysics modeling experience using FALCON/MOOSE or similar tools, with understanding of porous-media flow and coupled THMC processes.
• Ability to couple multiple physical processes and interpret chemical and hydrological feedback.
• Foundation in finite-element methods and nonlinear numerical solution techniques, with experience in model verification or validation.
• Scientific programming experience in C++, Fortran, Python, or MATLAB, and ability to develop, adapt, and maintain numerical modeling components and automated simulation workflows.
• A developing peer-reviewed publication record, effective communication skills, and ability to conduct independent research within interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team, remain self-motivated, and take direction from team members and peers.

Nice To Haves

• 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 and familiarity with thermodynamic databases, kinetic rate laws, and the influence of temperature and fluid composition on mineral reactivity.
• Experience with nonlinear solvers, Newton’s or quasi-Newton’s methods, sparse linear algebra, preconditioning, and parallel programming using MPI.
• Proficiency with Python scientific libraries.
• Familiarity with COMSOL Multiphysics for complementary simulations and benchmarking.

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, 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; assess the effects of fluid chemistry and operating conditions on 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 enhanced geothermal systems.
• Verify numerical implementations, calibrate and validate models against laboratory or field observations, and assess convergence, parameter sensitivity, and uncertainty.
• Automate computational workflows and improve parallel performance.
• Collaborate with experimental teams, publish findings, and contribute to research proposals.
• Write scientific manuscripts for journal publication and present research results at national and international conferences and meetings.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, and flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) with self-contribute access for postdoctoral positions.
• Paid time off (personal leave).
• Employee Education Program, including tuition assistance for eligible positions.
• Comprehensive relocation package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree