The Materials Life Cycle Analysis Group of the Systems Assessment Center (SAC) within the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis (EISA) Division assesses the environmental impacts associated with fuels, products, and integrated systems with the support of the Department of Energy (DOE) and other sponsors. The SAC continues a 30-year history of leadership in the field of life-cycle analysis (LCA). The SAC develops and maintains the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model, which is widely used by government, industry, and academic stakeholders to provide objective and rigorous results (see greet.es.anl.gov). The analyses help guide R&D efforts, identify opportunities and challenges, and create new LCA approaches to address emerging issues.

The Materials Life Cycle Analysis Group is seeking qualified applicants for a Post-Doctoral Researcher position. A successful candidate will assess the environmental impacts of energy systems using the GREET model and other tools to provide results to support the energy and transportation sectors. In particular, the candidate is expected to evaluate the environmental impacts of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and CO2 utilization pathways.

The SAF projects at the SAC are to support the deep decarbonization of the aviation sector. SAC has been engaged in the development of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) program of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and works closely with other national laboratory partners to evaluate emerging SAF production technologies to support U.S. SAF Grand Challenge by the U.S. federal agencies. The candidate is expected to conduct comprehensive LCAs of various SAF production pathways. In addition, there are CO2 utilization projects in the SAC, which evaluate technologies converting CO2 into valuable low-carbon products such as e-fuels. The candidate is expected to collaborate with other national laboratory partners to conduct LCA of various CO2 conversion technologies and address outstanding issues.

The candidate is expected to collect and process large datasets, provide rigorous results through comprehensive LCAs using GREET, publish journal articles and reports, and present results at conferences, workshops, and project meetings. The candidate will work with researchers within the SAC to expand the GREET model to enhance the model’s capability.

Position Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in engineering, environmental science, or other related field with coursework and/or research experience in life cycle analysis.
• Expertise in topics related to sustainable aviation fuel (biofuel), CO2 utilization (e-fuel production), and sustainable transportation/energy systems.
• Demonstrated competence in life cycle analysis or related skills.
• Skilled written and verbal communicator, including the ability to present complex information.
• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Familiarity with LCA models such as GREET.
• Experience in data-driven environmental analysis.
• Ability to identify emerging topics and data sources.
• Experience with programming software/languages (e.g., Excel VBA scripting, R, Python, ArcGIS, or related software).
• Problem-solving, quantitative, and critical thinking skills in energy systems and relevant issues.
• Motivated and oriented with the ability to work independently and in close collaboration with team members.

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