Postdoctoral Researcher – Process modeling and sustainability analysis for lignin valorization
About The Position
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. 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.
Requirements
- Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
- Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- 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.
Responsibilities
- Conduct biorefinery analyses related to lignin valorization to fuels and chemicals.
- Guide experimental R&D through analyses.
- Work with AspenPlus and other process modeling tools.
- 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.
- Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers, chemists, and biologists.
Benefits
- 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
- paid holidays
- performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards
- relocation expense reimbursement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
