Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a research staff member in the area of model development, life cycle analysis (LCA), and technology assessment to quantify energy and environmental effects of energy systems and/or materials. This is a full-time position with the Life Cycle Analysis and Technology Assessment Department in the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis Division. We are seeking applicants with a combination of engineering background and extensive knowledge and experience of Python programming language and large language models (LLMs) to expand and enhance the Argonne GREET LCA model, including building application programming interfaces (APIs), integrations using modular architecture, and interactions with user interfaces (UI). The Researcher will work on research areas including energy systems, technologies, and critical materials, besides programming development of the GREET model.

The Researcher will work with members of the LCA and Technology Assessment Department to advance and expand the next generation GREET software, design modeling architecture and develop source codes for key GREET modeling functionalities, improve and expand the current data schema to advance data curation techniques for updating and expanding the extensive GREET database, and develop and deploy new web-based interfaces and modules. For specific LCA research, the Researcher will collect, synthesize, and process information; develop high-quality databases and derive data-driven results; apply LCA methodologies to address critical analytical issues; provide rigorous and objective results; publish journal articles and reports; and present results at conferences, workshops, and project meetings. The researcher will contribute to and may coordinate annual expansion and development of the GREET model with life-cycle results based on a consistent and interactive modeling framework within GREET.

The Researcher will:

• Work closely with the GREET life cycle analysis research team to improve the software architecture design, data schema, calculation engine, database management, and expandability for the Python-based GREET software (PyGREET);
• Apply the Python programing language and LLMs to develop, train, and deploy artificial intelligence capabilities in PyGREET;
• Build a rigorous and trustworthy data ingestion pipeline to collect, validate, and develop datasets for specific energy systems and/or material technology;
• Conduct rigorous LCA studies in the GREET modeling platform;
• Work with collaborators from other national labs and academia to evaluate complex systems and to incorporate new data in analyses;
• Communicate with DOE and other sponsors to address sponsors’ LCA needs and market the Department’s analytic capabilities for new programs.

The LCA and Technology Assessment Department continues a 32-year history of leadership in the field of life cycle assessment. The Researcher will join project teams including experts in a variety of topics and will regularly collaborate with experts of other Argonne groups as well as in industry and at other national laboratories. The Department 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 https://greet.anl.gov). The Department supports DOE and other sponsors to assess the energy and environmental impacts associated with energy systems, chemicals, products, materials, and integrated systems to help DOE and other stakeholders guide R&D efforts, identify improvement opportunities, and propose new methodologies to address emerging issues in LCA.

Position Requirements

• Experience in LCA, process modeling, or closely related areas;

• Extensive experience in developing and deploying software using Python and LLMs;

• Extensive experience in interacting with sponsors and external collaborators;

• Experience in leading projects and tasks, tracking project progress, and directing junior staff;

• Expertise in topics related to process modeling and energy, resource, and environmental analysis of energy systems and/or materials and product systems;

• Excellent skills in written and oral communication to effectively interact with sponsors, collaborators, and internal team members;

• A successful candidate must have the ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork. 

• This position requires onsite presence at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois.

The selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level (RD3 or RD4) depending upon depth and breadth of relevant knowledge, skills, and experience brought to the position. The requirements for the desired levels are as follows:

• RD3 Level: Bachelor’s and 8+ years; Master’s and 5+ years; Doctorate and 4+ years in in environmental, chemical, mechanical engineering, or related fields.

• RD4 Level: Bachelor’s and 12+ years; Master's Degree and 7+ years of experience or equivalent; Doctorate and 6+ years in in environmental, chemical, mechanical engineering, or related fields.

The selected individual will be placed in the appropriate job profile “Mechanical / Civil Engineering”, “Environmental Science" or Engineering Systems Modeling Simulation based on the background and qualifications brought to the position.

Preferred qualifications include:  

• Experience with a range of programming languages and associated libraries, including general-purpose programming (C#, Python, and Java), version control and automation tools (e.g., Git) and large language models (LLMs).

• Demonstrated experience in data-driven LCA modeling and analysis;

• Desire and passion to work as part of a team in a highly collaborative environment;

• Familiarity with public data sources relevant for environmental analysis;

• Passion for data-driven policy decisions for societal benefits;

• Well-developed problem-solving, systems thinking, quantitative, and critical thinking skills; intellectual curiosity. Able to propose and formulate solutions to complex problems;

• Skilled written and verbal communicator, including the ability to present complex information so that it is understandable to a broad audience.

Interested candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, sample software and/or web applications, and names and contact information for three professional references to the application management system.

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Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.