Computational Geochemist

Leidos hiring for Computational Geochemist jobs in Pittsburgh, PA, US

Description

Leidos currently has an opening for a Computational Geochemist to join our research support team in Albany, OR (preferred) or in Pittsburgh, PA in supporting the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), a U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) national laboratory (https://netl.doe.gov). This is an opportunity to conduct research with world-class scientists and engineers using state of the art equipment, contributing to new areas of applied research to enhance the nation’s energy security and protect the environment for future generations. 

This position will support a new effort within NETL’s Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) portfolio to develop, validate, and deploy a transparent, defensible computational and procedural toolset for measurement and verification of carbon dioxide removal permanence through multiple pathways such as enhanced mineralization. We are looking for a research scientist with strong background in geochemical modeling possessing advanced programming/coding skills, to develop a new computational tool for predicting CO2 removal permanence within various CDR pathways. This work will involve a multidisciplinary team participation alongside other research scientists, engineers, geologists and computer scientists to obtain experimental data and parameters to develop data-driven computational tools in support of the effort mentioned above.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory is a multi-disciplinary, scientific and technical-oriented national laboratory. NETL produces technological solutions for America’s energy challenges to support home-grown energy initiatives, stimulate a growing economy, and improve the health, safety, and security of all Americans. Highly skilled professionals at three NETL research sites – Albany, OR, Morgantown, WV, and Pittsburgh, PA – conduct a broad range of research activities that support DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.

Location: This position is onsite at the NETL campus in Albany, OR or Pittsburgh, PA. Only candidates local to these areas (or willing to relocate to these areas), will be considered. Some telework may be allowed.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Perform collaborative research with teams based in NETL Albany and NETL Pittsburgh to:
  • Establish key parameters of carbon mineralization pathways.
  • Modify existing CDR mass balance equations to adapt to specific pathways.
  • Develop generalized box model for field simulation and describe CDR rate equations including reaction and mass transport aspects.
  • Develop customized coding script for the toolset based on literature data.
  • Define comparable CDR output and validate output with field data.
• Collaborate with the principal investigator (PI), other researchers, engineering and support staff to accomplish project-related tasks.
• Disseminate research results through presentations in relevant scientific forums, and/or publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Required Education, Experience & Other:

• A Master’s degree in geology, geochemistry, chemistry, mathematics, applied computer science, environmental engineering or related fields of study with 2+ years of experience or a PhD in geology, geochemistry, chemistry, mathematics, applied computer science, environmental engineering or related fields with less than 2 years experience.
• Proficiency in geochemical modeling tools with advanced working knowledge in Python/C++/Matlab programming languages to supplement and refine models
• Experience solving partial differential equations with programming and provide numerical solutions
• Must be able to meet the requirement for gaining access to work on the NETL campus

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in software development, including developing user interface and handling version control via git
• Knowledge and experience working in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) field
• The ideal candidate has had evidence of previous research work in the form of conference presentations (oral or poster), and/or publications in relevant, peer-reviewed journals

Salary Range for this position: $90K to $100K

While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.