Postdoctoral Research Associate - Geothermal Energy Techno-Economic Analysis Roadmap Extension

Requisition Id15658

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will support the Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Research & Analysis (MEERA) Group in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD), Energy Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to work in the areas of life cycle energy impacts analysis, technoeconomic analysis, and industrial energy efficiency analysis research under the Strategic Analysis and Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs.

The MEERA Group conducts techno-economic, value chain, trade, patent, and global analyses relevant to advanced energy and manufacturing technologies. MEERA is currently supporting a multi-laboratory DOE Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) project to develop an independent, objective, and publicly available geothermal well life cycle assessment analysis. This project will conduct research into alternative geothermal well designs that can improve the life cycle value of geothermal wells, reduce costs, improve productivity, and mitigate risks.

The project builds upon previous MEERA work focusing on casing and cementing activities that identified the cost of casing, cement and cement additives, and annulus area as key variables in reducing total drilling cost. This project expands the analysis to other aspects of geothermal well development including well completion, production, and abandonment phases.

• Conduct techno-economic, value chain, and global manufacturing competitiveness analysis in the area of geothermal well development.
• Analyze supply chain, material flows, and development costs throughout the lifecycle of a geothermal well to identify opportunities to reduce materials, time, and environmental impact of geothermal wells.
• Help support other MEERA Group industrial technical deployment (Better Plants) and Energy System Software Tools development projects.
• Help support the development of new resources, trainings, and tools to support companies participating in the DOE's Better Plants program.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

• A PhD in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, geothermal engineering or a related field completed within the last 5 years.
• Quantitative and analytical research background which can be applied to conduct research analysis on geothermal well development and other advanced energy technologies that could achieve transformative gains in energy efficiency.
• Ability to develop optimization and life cycle models analyzing advanced energy technologies.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience in life cycle energy and cost assessments for technology assessments.

• An educational background in sustainable manufacturing technologies with an emphasis on life cycle research.
• Experience in manufacturing process or energy systems modeling.
• Proficiency in the use of industry standard modeling and simulation tools, such as spreadsheet-based process cost modeling, input/output modeling, or commercially available life cycle analysis tools such as Sima Pro and open
  
  LCA.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and participate creatively in collaborative teams.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Please contact Sachin Nimbalkar at nimbalkarsu or  for further details.

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements…