$76,600–$126,400 Per Year
Postdoctoral Researcher – Decision Support & Analysis
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)
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Hours Per Week
40
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Working at NLR
NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.
Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.
Job Description
Job Summary:
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance open-source modeling of critical mineral and material (CMM) flows within broader system contexts. The role involves collaboration across teams specializing in data automation, scaling and integration, life cycle and techno-economic analysis, economic modeling, material flow analysis, energy systems, and integrated assessment modeling.
Candidates should hold a recent PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Ecology, Chemical Engineering, Economics, or a related field. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, highly proficient python programmer with strong optimization skills who can work independently. Additional experience in industrial datasets, process or systems modeling, and advanced opensource tools, as well as familiarity with NLR’s public databases is a plus. While this position is within the Strategic Energy Analysis Center (SEAC), candidates are expected to collaborate across NLR to support complex, interdisciplinary decision-making.
Job Description:
The candidate will join NLR’s integrated and systems modeling team to help develop next generation, AI-enabled, opensource models assessing U.S. CMM supply chain and manufacturing futures. Key responsibilities include building and integrating novel modeling platforms, developing datasets, and supporting regional and national decision support frameworks using industry standard practices in coding and data management. The candidate will also contribute to publications and collaborate with senior engineers and analysts.
Specific duties include:
+ Advance and expand existing and build new modeling capabilities in industrial CMM analysis.
+ Support the assessment of CMM futures using NLR datasets and tools such as LiAISON, ReEDS, and FINITO.
+ Build expertise and gain proficiency in using and applying the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM) in conjunction with NLR datasets and tools for systems analysis.
+ Update, curate, and analyze industrial and life cycle data to build high‑quality unit datasets.
+ Develop, write, and document code to support model development and code‑based assessment frameworks.
+ Integrate cross‑cutting costing, life‑cycle, and process data.
+ Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess, validate, and visualize results.
+ Write and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and technical reports.
+ Present research findings to clients, scientific peers, and non-technical stakeholders.
+ Collaborate with colleagues within and outside of NLR.
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Basic Qualifications
Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
Additional Required Qualifications:
+ PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Ecology, Chemical Engineering, Economics, or a closely related field.
+ Deep experience developing codebases in Python, with accompanying documentation and/or user guides (applicants experienced in other programming languages who demonstrate an ability to quickly learn Python may be considered).
+ Experience in optimization.
+ Experience in advanced (hybrid, dynamic, consequential, and/or prospective) LCA tools and energy systems models.
+ Experience with industrial datasets and process modeling, or developing custom life cycle inventories and in using established life cycle inventory databases.
+ Familiarity with LCA software (experience applying Brightway and Brightway’s Activity Browser is particularly desired; experience in non-code-based LCA software such as GaBi, SimaPro, and OpenLCA is a plus).
+ Strong analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
+ Self-motivated, quick learner with a proven ability to grasp new concepts and develop skills as needed.
+ Ability to work independently.
Other Requirements:
+ Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
+ Availability to start by Summer 2026.
Preferred Qualifications
+ Familiarity with NLR’s databases and tools such as USLCI, LiAISON, ReEDS, FINITO.
+ Familiarity with the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM).
+ Knowledge in multiple disciplines, including engineering and software development.
+ Interdisciplinary curiosity and a desire to broaden technical skills and apply cutting edge AI/ML functions into workflows.
+ General understanding of energy sector tax credits.
+ Experience using GitHub or other code-sharing platforms.
+ Strong technical writing skills with a history of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
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Job Application Submission Window
The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400
NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
Benefits Summary
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 (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.
* Based on eligibility rules
Badging Requirement
NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.
Drug Free Workplace
NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), 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, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)
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E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.
NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).
Drug Free Workplace
NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Please review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nlr.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NLR (https://www.nlr.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nlr.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NLR) at the lab.N
National Laboratory of the Rockies