Postdoctoral Appointee – Life Cycle Analysis

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the LCA and Technology Assessment Department within the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis Division. The role focuses on evaluating the energy, environmental, material, and economic implications of mineral extraction, refining, chemical conversion, recycling, and manufacturing processes.

About the role

The successful candidate will collaborate with Argonne researchers, government agencies, industrial partners, academic collaborators, and other national laboratories to:

• Develop and apply transparent, parameterized models of mineral extraction, concentration, refining, chemical conversion, battery-material production, and recycling.
• Compile life-cycle inventories from scientific literature, technical reports, patents, public industrial information, supplier data, and other sources.
• Translate chemical and industrial processes into material and energy balances, reagent requirements, process yields, transportation requirements, waste streams, and operating assumptions.
• Implement data and models in Argonne’s GREET model and related analytical tools.
• Evaluate current and emerging production pathways, including lithium production from brines and hard-rock resources, lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide production, hydrometallurgical processes, and battery recycling.
• Apply sensitivity, uncertainty, and scenario analyses to identify key process and supply-chain drivers.
• Analyze and manage technical datasets; contribute to model and database updates.
• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and conference materials.
• Provide analytical support for assessments of materials, batteries, vehicles, fuels, electricity, infrastructure, and integrated energy systems.

This position offers an opportunity to apply industrial process knowledge and advanced life-cycle analysis methods to high-priority questions involving batteries, minerals, materials, and energy systems.

Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed Ph.D. (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in chemical engineering, materials science, industrial engineering, or related fields.
• Knowledge of Python, JavaScript, Microsoft Excel, and other computer programming skills.
• Knowledge of process modeling and life cycle analysis.
• Knowledge of production processes for critical materials and minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, nickel, platinum, zinc, etc.
• Experience developing, manipulating, and analyzing large data sets.
• Understanding of energy technologies and their supply chains.
• Experience working with Argonne’s R&D GREET model and BatPaC battery cost model.
• Knowledge of Aspen Plus or other chemical engineering models.
• Ability to work well within a team of experts in various areas of expertise.
• Skilled in oral and written communications with peers, colleagues, and collaborators.
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Schedule

This is a full-time, long-term (fixed term) position requiring an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois.

Pay

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00 - $121,465.00. The pay offered will be determined based on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. View Argonne employee benefits.