Post Doc Research Associate - Subsurface Reactive Transport

$69,000 - $119,100/Yr

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - Montpelier, VT

Full-time - Entry Level

Montpelier, VT

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Post Doc Research Associate position at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) focuses on subsurface reactive transport modeling, particularly using the PFLOTRAN simulator to study CO2 injection into reactive rocks. The role involves collaboration with researchers to simulate multiphase fluid flow and reactive transport, contributing to projects related to contaminant fate, geothermal energy, and nuclear waste disposal. The associate will engage in professional networking and demonstrate a commitment to scientific excellence and national impact, while adhering to PNNL's policies on environmental health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Run multiphase reactive transport models using the PFLOTRAN simulator.
• Collaborate with researchers to simulate multiphase fluid flow and reactive transport during CO2 injection.
• Model CO2 mineralization through complex reaction networks.
• Apply diverse numerical techniques to model CO2 reactivity in fractured rock.
• Develop strategies for critical mineral extraction concurrent with CO2 storage.
• Engage in project work related to contaminant fate and transport modeling, geothermal energy, and nuclear waste disposal.
• Develop an internal and external network of collaborators and project partners.
• Participate in professional societies at the regional and national level.

Requirements

• PhD received within the past five years or within the next eight months from an accredited college or university.
• Experience simulating groundwater flow, reactive transport, and/or multiphase flow within the Earth's subsurface.
• Experience with geochemistry or geochemical transport modeling software (e.g., CrunchFlow, Geochemist's Workbench, MINTEQA2, PFLOTRAN, PHREEQC, TOUGHREACT).
• Experience modeling subsurface CO2 sequestration.
• Experience simulating subsurface Earth system processes (e.g., groundwater flow, solute transport, biogeochemical reaction).
• Experience running PFLOTRAN.
• Experience with state of the art numerical methods.
• Experience with numerical methods for solving systems of nonlinear PDE's (e.g., finite volume method, finite element method).
• Python scripting experience (e.g., H5py, Matplotlib, NumPy, pandas, SciPy).
• Experience with Linux-based operating systems.
• Experience with high performance computing.
• Experience programming in modern Fortran or C/C++.
• Demonstrated proficiency with verbal and written communications.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with high performance computing.
• Experience programming in modern Fortran or C/C++.
• Demonstrated proficiency with verbal and written communications.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Flexible work schedules
• Telework options
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending accounts
• Basic life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Business travel insurance
• Tuition assistance
• Supplemental parental bonding leave
• Surrogacy and adoption assistance
• Fertility support
• Company funded pension plan
• 401k savings plan
• Up to 120 vacation hours per year
• Ten paid holidays per year