R&D Associate - Water & Wastewater Efficiency Engineer

Requisition Id14761

Overview:

We are seeking a R&D Associate (RP02) staff 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). The R&D Associate will work in the areas of environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic optimization in areas such as water-energy nexus, water-food-energy-land nexus, water efficiency and decarbonization in water and wastewater sector, and water use in industrial sector. MEERA Group supports Department of Energy's Strategic Analysis Team that conducts independent, objective, and credible research analysis to inform decision-making. To gain insights on manufacturing supply chains, the team conducts techno-economics, value chain, trade, patent, and global manufacturing competitiveness analysis relevant to advanced manufacturing technologies. The team builds and applies analysis tools and analytics to draw insights on the manufacturing sector's impact on energy, water, carbon, and materials productivity throughout the U.S. economy and to identify opportunities for improvement. Through MSD's Energy and Industrial Decarbonization Section, MEERA Group develops a diverse portfolio of industrial energy and water efficiency tools and resources which are delivered to the manufacturing sector through various technical assistance and training events worldwide.

You will support MEERA Group's strategic analysis and modeling research activities of water-energy nexus for various DOE program offices. MEERA group's strategic analysis team has organized research into four core thematic areas: 1) Process and Technology Assessments; 2) Subsector Analyses; 3) Cross-Sectoral Industrial Energy and Materials Flows analyses; 4) Industrial Modeling. The latest analysis focuses of the DOE's Industrial Energy & Decarbonization Office (IEDO), Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO), and other Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) program offices includes technologies that can impact water and wastewater treatment utilities, manufacturing industries, the water-energy nexus, and the water-food-energy nexus. DOE is also interested in improving energy efficiency and decarbonization within the water and wastewater sector.

You will work independently and with senior technical staff to collect water and energy use data in manufacturing and water/wastewater treatment sectors, evaluating the life cycle economic, energy, and environmental impacts of advanced water efficiency technologies. Responsibilities will include hydrologic modeling, statistical analysis of datasets, data visualization, presenting findings to a variety of audiences, and publishing peer-reviewed papers.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct life cycle assessment, techno-economic, value chain, and global manufacturing competitiveness analysis on water efficiency, water quality, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Analyzing the supply chain and water flows through a product's entire lifecycle can help to identify energy, material, and water savings opportunities throughout the greater U.S. economy, including the production and delivery of water and water use within the industrial, transportation, and buildings sectors.
• Support MEERA Group's industrial technical deployment (Better Plants, National Alliance for Water Innovation, etc.) and Water System Software Tools development projects. DOE's Industrial Energy & Decarbonization Office (IEDO) offers a range of Water System Resources, Activities, and Software Tools which are used to manage and optimize water efficiency in industrial facilities.
• Contribute to the development of new resources, training, 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in an engineering field (mechanical/industrial engineering/ environmental/ hydrology/ civil/ chemical engineering). At least 2 year of excellent quantitative and analytical PhD research background which can be applied to conduct research analysis on water resources and environmental science, especially water management, data analytics, advanced water efficiency technologies, impact of water on manufacturing and vice versa, and natural resource management.
• Proficiency in conducting life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, hydrologic modeling, statistical analysis of datasets, and spatial data visualization.
• Strong ability to present findings to a variety of audiences and publish peer-reviewed papers is required.
• Experience in life cycle energy and cost assessments for conducting water efficiency and decarbonization technology assessments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to make weekly presentations to sponsors and others and to prepare reports, proposals, and publications/journal articles.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required by the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge in hydrologic & hydraulic analysis, statistical processing, data management, spatial analysis, and visualization.
• Proficiency in the use of industry standard modeling and simulation tools, such as spreadsheet-based process cost modeling, input/output modeling, and commercially available life cycle analysis tools such as SimaPro, openLCA, and GREET.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:

Limited travel will be required for this position.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.