Energy Systems Analyst/Senior Energy Systems Analyst – Life Cycle Analysis of Fuels and Products
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Location: Lemont, IL
- Job Number: 7112498 (Ref #: 414089)
- Posting Date: Sep 10, 2022
- Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
The Fuels and Products Group within the Energy Systems Division at Argonne National Laboratory is hiring an Energy Systems Analyst or Senior Energy Systems Analyst to study the life cycle environmental effects of fuels and products and to understand the potential for technologies to contribute to economy-wide decarbonization. Successful applicants will work independently and as part of a team to carry out analysis of novel systems, develop new models and datasets, and publish scientifically rigorous and objective results. The candidate will support Department of Energy (DOE) funded projects to benchmark next generation energy and product systems, identify opportunities for improvement, and/or analyze their effects at scale. Current project opportunities include decarbonization scenario analysis, sustainable aviation fuels, biofuels for maritime shipping, waste-to-energy systems, algal biofuels, CO2 utilization, regional bioenergy initiatives, and plastic upcycling. These projects involve close collaboration with industrial and academic partners, and engagement with multidisciplinary project teams. Candidates should have technical experience in life cycle assessment, systems analysis, and/or technoeconomic analysis of energy systems as well as experience with analysis of relevant technologies.
Energy Systems Analysts collect and synthesize information to conduct LCA studies in the GREET modeling platform, manipulate large datasets to extract meaningful results, communicate results through well-designed presentations, publish journal articles and reports, and present results at conferences, workshops, and project meetings. Energy Systems Analysts may also supervise other junior staff and/or Post-Doctoral Researchers. Members of the Fuels and Products Group support 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.
The Systems Assessment Center continues a 30-year history of leadership in the field of life cycle analysis. Energy Systems Analysts will collaborate with experts in a variety of topics relevant to their work 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
5+ years of relevant professional experience.
Knowledge in topics related to bioenergy/biofuels, bioproducts, biomass and waste feedstock conversion, sustainable transportation, and/or industrial decarbonization.
Demonstrated ability to perform life cycle and/or technoeconomic analysis and to write related scientific publications. Strong record of scientific publication.
Passion for and experience in data-driven sustainability analysis.
Well-developed problem-solving, systems thinking, quantitative, and critical thinking skills; intellectual curiosity. Able to structure and formulate solutions to complex problems.
Familiarity with a wide range of data sources relevant for environmental and sustainability analysis, and the ability to identify topics and data sources and engage experts to conduct research. Capable of identifying key features of complex systems/processes.
Highly motivated and detail oriented with the ability to work independently and in close collaboration with team members. Energized by working as part of a high functioning team and demonstrates a professional attitude.
Skilled written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information so that it is understandable to a broad audience.
Skilled computer skills relevant for data manipulation and analysis including experience with creating and using complex models in Excel.
Experience with GREET or other LCA software such as open LCA, SimaPro, GaBi, or Umberto.
Experience analyzing large or complex datasets.
Experience writing proposals to acquire research funding.
Record of scientific publication, including publication in high impact journals.
M.S. or Ph.D. degree in engineering, environmental science, or other related field with coursework and/or research experience in life cycle analysis.
A successful candidate must have the ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
The selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level (RD3 or RD4) depending upon depth and breadth of relevant knowledge, skills, and experience brought to the position. The requirements for the desired levels are as follows:
RD3: Bachelor’s and 8+ years, Master’s and 5+ years, or Doctorate and 4+ years.
RD4: Bachelor’s and 12+ years, Master’s and 7+ years, or Doctorate and 6+ years.
Preferred Qualifications Include:
Experience supervising others on projects relevant to the position.
Experience leading a multidisciplinary project team.
Demonstrated success in acquiring research funding.
Experience with MS Access, Excel VBA scripting, Python, R, AspenPlus, ArcGIS (or related software), Java, and/or Matlab.
Ph.D. degree in engineering, environmental science, or other related field with coursework and/or research experience in life cycle analysis.
Job Family
Research Development (RD)Job Profile
Eng Systems Modeling-Simulation-Analysis 3Worker Type
RegularTime 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.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.
Please note that all Argonne employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. All successful applicants will be required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination verification as a condition of employment, subject to limited legally recognized exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination.
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.
