Post Doc Research Associate - Subsurface Reactive Transport

$69,000 - $119,100/Yr

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - Indianapolis, IN

Full-time - Entry Level

Indianapolis, IN

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Post-Doctoral Research Associate position at PNNL's Earth System Science Division focuses on running multiphase reactive transport models using the PFLOTRAN simulator. The role involves simulating CO2 injection into reactive rocks, modeling CO2 mineralization, and developing strategies for critical mineral extraction alongside CO2 storage. The associate will engage in various project areas, including contaminant fate and transport modeling and geothermal energy, while building a network of collaborators and contributing to scientific excellence and national impact.

Responsibilities

• Run multiphase reactive transport models within 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 in areas of contaminant fate and transport modeling, geothermal energy, and nuclear waste disposal.
• Demonstrate commitment to data quality and accuracy in research outputs.
• Participate in professional societies at regional and national levels.

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., PFLOTRAN, CrunchFlow, etc.).
• Experience modeling subsurface CO2 sequestration.
• Experience simulating subsurface Earth system processes (e.g., groundwater flow, solute transport).
• 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).
• Python scripting experience (e.g., H5py, Matplotlib, NumPy).
• 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 numerical methods for solving systems of nonlinear PDE's (e.g., finite element method).

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Flexible work schedules
• Telework options
• 401k savings plan
• Pension plan
• Tuition assistance
• Paid vacation hours
• Paid holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Business travel insurance
• Supplemental parental bonding leave
• Surrogacy and adoption assistance
• Fertility support
• Disability insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health savings account
• Basic life insurance