Postdoctoral Associate - Life Cycle Assessment Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies

Requisition Id 15723 

­­Overview:  

The Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Research & Analysis (MEERA) Group within the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking to fill a Postdoctoral Research Associate position to work in the areas of environmental life cycle assessment (LCA), technoeconomic optimization; and industrial energy efficiency and production optimization analyses research under the Strategic Analysis and Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs. The MEERA Group supports a multi-laboratory Department of Energy (DOE) Strategic Analysis Team that conducts independent, objective, and credible research analysis to inform decision-making. To gain insights on manufacturing supply chains, the team conducts techno-economics, value chain, trade, patent, and global manufacturing competitiveness analysis relevant to advanced manufacturing technologies. The team builds and applies analysis tools and analytics to draw insights on the manufacturing sector’s impact on energy, water, carbon, and materials productivity throughout the U.S. economy and to identify opportunities for improvement. Through the Industrial Energy Efficiency Program, the MEERA Group develops a diverse portfolio of industrial energy efficiency tools and resources which are delivered to the manufacturing sector through various technical assistance and training events worldwide.

You will support MEERA Group’s strategic analysis and modeling research activities of advanced materials, supply chain, and advanced manufacturing technologies for various DOE program offices. The latest analyses focus on DOE’s Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technology Office (AMMTO) and Industrial Technologies Office (ITO) and cover the topics like smart manufacturing, additive manufacturing, carbon fiber and composites, energy-water nexus, data centers, and water & wastewater sector. You will work independently and with senior technical staff toward collecting data for all steps in development of manufacturing process flow sheets for the manufacturing of next generation materials for different potential market applications to evaluate the life cycle economic, energy, and environmental impacts. The focus of these analyses is to understand the drivers of U.S. competitiveness in the manufacturing portions of clean energy materials technologies, including the key factors behind manufacturing location decisions made by businesses.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Conduct independent research in life cycle assessment (LCA), technoeconomic analysis (TEA), and industrial energy efficiency and production optimization to support DOE Strategic Analysis and Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs.
• Perform technoeconomic optimization and scenario analysis to evaluate manufacturing competitiveness, technology pathways, and trade-offs among cost, energy use, emissions, and resource efficiency.
• Analyze manufacturing supply chains and value chains, including trade, patent landscapes, and global competitiveness, to assess drivers of U.S. manufacturing location decisions and reshoring opportunities.
• Conduct research aligned with DOE program priorities, including but not limited to smart manufacturing, additive manufacturing, advanced materials (carbon fiber and composites), energy–water nexus, data centers, and water and wastewater sectors.
• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and briefings for DOE sponsors, laboratory leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, environmental, chemical engineering, or related fields completed within the last five years.
• Quantitative and analytical research background applicable to advanced manufacturing technologies and manufacturing systems

• Experience with life cycle energy and cost assessments for conducting manufacturing technology assessments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to make technical presentations to sponsors and others and to prepare reports, proposals, and publications/journal articles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A background in sustainable manufacturing technologies is preferable with an emphasis on circular economy research
• Experience in working in the genetic algorithm and artificial neural networks is preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing process modeling of advanced manufacturing technologies
• Proficiency in the use of industry standard modeling and simulation tools, such as spreadsheet-based process cost modeling, input/output modeling, and commercially available life cycle analysis tools such as SimaPro, openLCA, and GREET.
• Strong interpersonal skills to support team building and leadership in addition to a strong commitment to scientific integrity.

Special Requirements:

Limited travel will be required for this position.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.  Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.  Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.  

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov or call 1.866.963.9545.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.