Postdoctoral Researcher - Energy Systems Modeling
About The Position
Berkeley Lab’s Energy Analysis Division conducts research focused on competitive, affordable, and reliable energy systems. The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to multidisciplinary projects developing process models, technical performance benchmarks, and prospective technoeconomic assessments involving separations of critical gases and solids, energy generation, and chemical production. The role will work closely with experimentalists to develop mechanistic and physics-informed models of material-based technologies for integrated system models. Constructing and optimizing models in ASPEN and applying machine learning to high-throughput scenario modeling are important aspects of the position. The researcher will contribute to technoeconomic analysis, data analysis and visualization, and assessment of the potential impacts of deploying technologies in end-use applications and sectors. They will present findings, publish research, support translation of results to industry impact, and contribute to reports and funding-agency briefings. This is a full-time, two-year postdoctoral appointment, with possible renewal depending on performance, funding, and operational needs. Applicants must have less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience. The position is performed on-site at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Chemical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering, or a related field.
- Strong programming experience and familiarity with software versioning systems for data analysis, visualization, and management.
- Knowledge of critical mineral or critical gas separations and purification.
- Knowledge of ASPEN modeling and physics-based cost assessments.
- Proven ability to publish results in relevant journals or reports.
- Ability to work in an integrated, diverse team environment.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Interest in solving science challenges, particularly in energy.
- Less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of ammonia production.
- Knowledge of energy technologies such as hydrogen and thermal energy.
- Experience working on energy system integration.
- Keen interest in multidisciplinary research to influence technology development.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to technoeconomic analyses.
- Analyze and visualize data to evaluate potential impacts of deploying targeted technologies in key end-use applications and sectors.
- Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team with expertise in statistics, physics, energy technologies, and machine learning.
- Analyze and summarize data and present findings at internal laboratory meetings and scientific conferences.
- Publish in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to scientific research papers, reports, and public-facing websites and tools.
- Help translate results into industry impact.
- Contribute to quarterly reports and briefings for funding agencies.
- Participate in routine Systems and Energy Technology Analysis department meetings.
- Assist with mentoring interns.
- Contribute to research proposals and grants as needed.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options.
- 24 days of personal time off per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays.
- Eight weeks of Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave for qualifying family and parental needs.
- Networking, social events, professional development, and scientific exchange through the Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association.
- A collaborative and inclusive culture.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
