Postdoctoral Researcher - Process modeling and sustainability analysis plastics upcycling

Postdoctoral Researcher
- Process modeling and sustainability analysis for plastics upcycling & biorefining

Location: CO
- Golden
Position Type: Postdoc (Fixed Term)
Hours Per Week: 40

The Catalytic Carbon Transformation & Scale-Up Center at NLR has an opening for a full‑time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Economic, Sustainability, and Market Analysis group. The appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years. The successful candidate will support several DOE‑funded consortia efforts, including the Bioprocessing Separations Consortium, BOTTLE consortium, and the Agile Bio Foundry. The candidate will work with a dynamic, multi‑disciplinary experimental team and the analysis will guide experimental research efforts.

The candidate will use Aspen Plus and other process modeling tools.

• Assimilate a wide variety of information into assessments.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of research and analysis.
• Communicate scientific results effectively, both written and oral.
• Author peer‑reviewed publications.
• Work effectively in a large, multi‑disciplinary team of engineers, chemists, and biologists.

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

• Research experience with an emphasis on chemical process development.
• Demonstrated experience with process modeling with Aspen Plus.
• Demonstrated experience with statistical analysis (e.g., sensitivity or uncertainty).
• PhD degree in chemical engineering or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience with programming languages, such as Python or R.
• Demonstrated experience with LCA tools, such as openLCA or Sima Pro.
• Understanding of biomass conversion research and processes.
• Relevant experience with sustainable materials and green chemistry practices.

Annual Salary Range (full‑time 40 hrs/week): $74,900 - $123,600. Salary determination considers education, training, experience, quality and quantity of work, travel, market, and internal alignment. A favorable background investigation is required. The position may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

Benefits include: medical, dental, and vision insurance; short‑term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; personal time off and sick leave; paid holidays. Certain positions may also be eligible for performance, merit, and achievement‑based awards with a monetary component.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local laws.