Energy Geoscientist

Job Description

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring an energy geoscientist to lead integrated subsurface assessment and evaluation for enhanced geothermal systems and other energy applications. The position, housed within the Critical Minerals and Geothermal Energy Department, will work closely with geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, reservoir engineers, and computational scientists to characterize geologic systems; integrate geologic, geophysical, geochemical, well, and operational data, develop and maintain defensible three-dimensional earth and conceptual models and translate those models into reservoir simulations and resource-performance evaluations.

The chosen scientist will lead multidisciplinary technical work, explicitly evaluate uncertainty and risk, build a thriving externally funded research portfolio, disseminate results through technical presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and technical reports, and work closely with industry partners to accelerate commercial deployment of enhanced geothermal systems.

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring an energy geoscientist to lead integrated subsurface assessment and evaluation for enhanced geothermal systems and other energy applications. The position, housed within the Critical Minerals and Geothermal Energy Department, will work closely with geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, reservoir engineers, and computational scientists to characterize geologic systems; integrate geologic, geophysical, geochemical, well, and operational data, develop and maintain defensible three-dimensional earth and conceptual models and translate those models into reservoir simulations and resource-performance evaluations.

The chosen scientist will lead multidisciplinary technical work, explicitly evaluate uncertainty and risk, build a thriving externally funded research portfolio, disseminate results through technical presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and technical reports, and work closely with industry partners to accelerate commercial deployment of enhanced geothermal systems. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off.

• Lead geologic assessment and characterization of deep geothermal and other energy-resource systems, including integration and interpretation of subsurface, well, and operational datasets.
• Lead development and iterative updating of three-dimensional earth and conceptual models that capture stratigraphy, structure, lithology, alteration, natural fractures, stress, temperature, fluid flow, and key uncertainties.
• Lead reservoir simulation, calibration, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, and technical evaluation of resource performance, development options, and subsurface risk.
• Contribute to long-term R&D strategy for geothermal systems. Actively pursue and secure funding for future research efforts through proposals and industry partnerships.
• Write peer-reviewed publications and technical reports and represent INL through programmatic and technical presentations to sponsors and peers at conferences and symposia.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Level 4:
  Masters of Science degree in geology, geophysics, geological engineering, earth science, or a closely related field and 6+ years of relevant professional experience in subsurface geoscience for geothermal, oil and gas, carbon storage, critical minerals, or a related energy field or a PhD in a related field and 4+ years of related experience.
• Level 5:
  Masters of Science degree in geology, geophysics, geological engineering, earth science, or a closely related field and 8+ years of relevant professional experience in subsurface geoscience for geothermal, oil and gas, carbon storage, critical minerals, or a related energy field or a PhD in a related field and 6+ years of related experience
• Experience in engaging program sponsors at DOE, industry and other federal agencies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary subsurface teams through the execution of large, multi-year technical research or field-development projects.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.

• Ph.D. in geology, geophysics, geological engineering, earth science, or a closely related field.
• Significant experience with reservoir simulation, model calibration, uncertainty analysis, and resource or project evaluation; familiarity with MOOSE or other multiphysics frameworks is a plus.
• Experience at a DOE national laboratory, DOE, or experience in engaging with DOE.

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. Field work includes working in remote locations within radioactive boundary areas (RBA), and overnight travel for extended field work.…