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Computational Geoscience Postdoctoral Research Associate in Reactive Transport and THMC Modeling Idaho National Laboratory in United States
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Geology
Funding
Annual salary of $105,144. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, a postdoctoral 401(k) self-contribution option, paid personal leave, an employee education program with tuition assistance for eligible positions, and a comprehensive relocation package. Benefit eligibility depends on employment status and position classification.
Deadline
Dec 14, 2026
Country
United States
University
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
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About this position
Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Computational Geoscience Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Department of Critical Minerals & Geothermal Energy within the Energy and Environment Science and Technology directorate. Based in Idaho Falls, the researcher will join an interdisciplinary team working on subsurface energy, critical-mineral, and carbon-management challenges.
The project focuses on reactive transport and coupled thermal–hydraulic–mechanical–chemical (THMC) simulations. The researcher will develop models that represent fluid flow, heat transfer, geochemical reactions, geomechanics, and evolving rock properties using FALCON, MOOSE, or comparable multiphysics tools. Work will integrate advection, diffusion, dispersion, aqueous speciation, mineral dissolution and precipitation, reaction kinetics, reactive surface area, porosity, permeability, and fracture–matrix exchange.
Application areas include geological hydrogen production, electrofracturing stimulation for critical mineral recovery, enhanced geothermal systems, and carbon mineralization. The researcher will investigate water–rock reactions, mineral mobilization, fracture connectivity, fluid access, circulation, and heat extraction, while examining how fluid chemistry and operating conditions control reaction progress and resource recovery.
The role also includes verification and validation against laboratory or field observations, assessment of convergence and uncertainty, sensitivity analysis, and representation of mineralogical heterogeneity across laboratory and reservoir scales. The postdoctoral researcher will automate computational workflows, improve parallel performance, collaborate with experimental teams, publish in scientific journals, present at conferences, and contribute to research proposals.
The successful candidate will work independently while collaborating with researchers across the laboratory’s geoscience, geothermal, critical-minerals, computational, and experimental research environment.
Funding details
Annual salary of $105,144. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, a postdoctoral 401(k) self-contribution option, paid personal leave, an employee education program with tuition assistance for eligible positions, and a comprehensive relocation package. Benefit eligibility depends on employment status and position classification.
What's required
PhD in Geoscience, Geochemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, Computational Science, or a related discipline, completed by the appointment start date and within the previous five years. Candidates must have hands-on multiphysics modeling experience using FALCON, MOOSE, or similar tools; understanding of porous-media flow and coupled THMC processes; a foundation in finite-element methods and nonlinear numerical solution techniques; and experience with model verification or validation. Scientific programming experience in C++, Fortran, Python, or MATLAB is required, along with the ability to develop, adapt, and maintain numerical modeling components and automated workflows. A developing peer-reviewed publication record, effective communication, and the ability to conduct independent research in interdisciplinary teams are expected. Desirable experience includes FALCON/MOOSE capabilities, phase-field fracture, damage mechanics, constitutive modeling, fracture-dependent permeability, reactive transport, thermodynamic databases, kinetic rate laws, nonlinear solvers, sparse linear algebra, preconditioning, MPI, Python scientific libraries, and COMSOL Multiphysics.
How to apply
Apply through the Idaho National Laboratory careers portal using the Apply Now option. Submit a resume and answer all questions on the application screens; incomplete applications may be deemed ineligible.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.