Postdoctoral Researcher – Decision Support & Analysis

National Laboratory of the Rockies • Golden, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance open-source modeling of critical mineral and material (CMM) flows within broader system contexts. The role involves collaboration across teams specializing in data automation, scaling and integration, life cycle and techno-economic analysis, economic modeling, material flow analysis, energy systems, and integrated assessment modeling. Candidates should hold a recent PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Ecology, Chemical Engineering, Economics, or a related field. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, highly proficient python programmer with strong optimization skills who can work independently. Additional experience in industrial datasets, process or systems modeling, and advanced opensource tools, as well as familiarity with NLR’s public databases is a plus. While this position is within the Strategic Energy Analysis Center (SEAC), candidates are expected to collaborate across NLR to support complex, interdisciplinary decision-making. The candidate will join NLR’s integrated and systems modeling team to help develop next generation, AI-enabled, opensource models assessing U.S. CMM supply chain and manufacturing futures. Key responsibilities include building and integrating novel modeling platforms, developing datasets, and supporting regional and national decision support frameworks using industry standard practices in coding and data management. The candidate will also contribute to publications and collaborate with senior engineers and analysts.

Requirements

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Ecology, Chemical Engineering, Economics, or a closely related field.
• Deep experience developing codebases in Python, with accompanying documentation and/or user guides (applicants experienced in other programming languages who demonstrate an ability to quickly learn Python may be considered).
• Experience in optimization.
• Experience in advanced (hybrid, dynamic, consequential, and/or prospective) LCA tools and energy systems models.
• Experience with industrial datasets and process modeling, or developing custom life cycle inventories and in using established life cycle inventory databases.
• Familiarity with LCA software (experience applying Brightway and Brightway’s Activity Browser is particularly desired; experience in non-code-based LCA software such as GaBi, SimaPro, and OpenLCA is a plus).
• Strong analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
• Self-motivated, quick learner with a proven ability to grasp new concepts and develop skills as needed.
• Ability to work independently.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Availability to start by Summer 2026.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with NLR’s databases and tools such as USLCI, LiAISON, ReEDS, FINITO.
• Familiarity with the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM).
• Knowledge in multiple disciplines, including engineering and software development.
• Interdisciplinary curiosity and a desire to broaden technical skills and apply cutting edge AI/ML functions into workflows.
• General understanding of energy sector tax credits.
• Experience using GitHub or other code-sharing platforms.
• Strong technical writing skills with a history of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Advance and expand existing and build new modeling capabilities in industrial CMM analysis.
• Support the assessment of CMM futures using NLR datasets and tools such as LiAISON, ReEDS, and FINITO.
• Build expertise and gain proficiency in using and applying the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM) in conjunction with NLR datasets and tools for systems analysis.
• Update, curate, and analyze industrial and life cycle data to build high‑quality unit datasets.
• Develop, write, and document code to support model development and code‑based assessment frameworks.
• Integrate cross‑cutting costing, life‑cycle, and process data.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess, validate, and visualize results.
• Write and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and technical reports.
• Present research findings to clients, scientific peers, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues within and outside of NLR.

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 that include a monetary component
• relocation expense reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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