Chemical Engineer - Hydrothermal Process Development

About the role

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real-world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and operates processes or unit operations to create a diverse range of products.
• Evaluates and manipulates the chemical properties of various substances used in the fabrication of new products.
• Designs, models, evaluates, and implements chemical processes, instrumentation, and equipment to ensure effectiveness in engineering and design.
• Performs trials, tests, and/or experiments to support engineering, production, and/or R&D activities.
• Applies the principles of chemistry, nuclear science, biology, physics, material science, math, and engineering to solve problems that involve the production, use or conversion of chemicals, materials, and energy.
• Conduct research and development in hydrothermal liquefaction and related thermochemical conversion processes.
• Design, execute, and interpret experiments involving HTL reaction systems, feedstock characterization, product analysis, and process performance evaluation.
• Apply chemical engineering and chemistry fundamentals to solve complex technical problems related to reaction pathways, product quality, separations, yields, and process optimization.
• Contribute technical expertise to multidisciplinary projects involving catalysis, upgrading, separations, process integration, and techno-economic or sustainability analyses.
• Generate innovative technical ideas and help identify new research directions aligned with sponsor priorities and laboratory strategy.
• Contribute to the development of proposals, including technical writing, concept development, work scope definition, and support for project planning and budgeting.
• Lead or support defined technical tasks and deliver high-quality results on schedule while working closely with project teams, group leadership, and collaborators.
• Communicate research findings through internal reports, sponsor deliverables, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Maintain a strong commitment to quality, safety, and security, and support safe laboratory operations.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA -OR- PhD. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience; or PhD.

• Experience executing experimental research in chemical processing, thermochemical conversion, applied chemistry, or related process development areas.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting experimental data and translating results into actionable technical recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to technical writing, and research program growth (ideally in proposal development as well).
• Record of peer-reviewed publications, sponsor-facing deliverables, or conference presentations in HTL or related areas.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), including experience with HTL systems, wet feedstock conversion, and/or biocrude production.
• Experience designing reactors or chemical processing systems.
• Knowledge of biocrude characterization, aqueous phase analysis, gas product analysis, upgrading, separations, or downstream processing.
• Experience with bench-scale or pilot-scale reactor systems and laboratory operations.
• Experience working with DOE, other federal sponsors, industry partners, or national laboratory collaborations.
• Demonstrated ability to bring creative, forward-looking ideas that open new technical or programmatic opportunities.

Benefits

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.