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Postdoctoral Lca Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral Lca information

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Lca vs Postdoctoral Research Fellow?

AspectPostdoctoral LcaPostdoctoral Research Fellow
Required credentialsPhD in relevant field, visa sponsorshipPhD in relevant field, visa sponsorship
Work environmentAcademic labs, research institutionsAcademic labs, research institutions
Employer and industry usageUniversities, research centersUniversities, research centers
Common search intentVisa process, job duties, eligibilityVisa process, job duties, eligibility

Both Postdoctoral Lca and Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles typically require a PhD and involve research in academic settings. The main difference lies in the visa sponsorship process, where Postdoctoral Lca is specifically related to employment-based visa applications, while Postdoctoral Research Fellow is a broader academic research position. Understanding these distinctions helps candidates navigate their job search and visa requirements effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a postdoctoral life cycle assessment (LCA) researcher?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral LCA researcher, you need an advanced degree (typically a Ph.D.) in environmental science, engineering, or a related field, along with expertise in life cycle assessment methodologies. Familiarity with LCA software tools like SimaPro or GaBi and experience with statistical analysis or programming languages such as R or Python are highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you interpret complex data and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for producing reliable environmental impact studies and informing sustainable decision-making.

Is it difficult to get a postdoctoral Lca position?

Securing a postdoctoral Lca position can be competitive, as it often requires a strong research background, relevant publications, and specialized skills in the field. Applicants should have a solid academic record and may need to demonstrate proficiency with research tools and protocols to improve their chances.

What are the typical challenges faced by a postdoctoral LCA researcher when managing multiple research projects simultaneously?

Postdoctoral LCA researchers often juggle several projects at once, which can be challenging due to competing deadlines, the need to coordinate with diverse stakeholders, and the complexity of LCA data collection and analysis. Effective time management and clear communication with supervisors and collaborators are essential to balance these responsibilities. Additionally, staying updated with evolving methodologies and ensuring data accuracy can add to the workload, making organizational skills and adaptability key to success in this role.

What are postdoctoral LCA positions?

Postdoctoral LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) positions are research roles typically held by individuals who have recently earned a Ph.D. and are specializing in the field of life cycle assessment. These positions focus on conducting advanced research to evaluate the environmental impacts of products, processes, or technologies throughout their entire life cycle. Postdoctoral LCA researchers often work in academic, governmental, or industry settings, contributing to projects, publishing findings, and sometimes mentoring students. The goal is to generate data-driven insights that inform sustainability decisions and policy. These roles are usually temporary, lasting one to three years.
What are popular job titles related to Postdoctoral Lca jobs in Colorado? For Postdoctoral Lca jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral Lca jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral Lca jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Postdoctoral Lca jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Postdoctoral Lca job openings:
Postdoctoral Lca jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Lca job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 83% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Postdoctoral Researcher - Process modeling and sustainability analysis for lignin valorization

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Golden, CO • On-site

$76K - $126K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher - Process modeling and sustainability analysis for lignin valorization
Location
CO - Golden
Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)
Hours Per Week
40
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
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 initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.
This position will work primarily on a Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI) project, in which we are developing new approaches to cost-effectively convert biomass into realistic biofuels.
https://cbi.ornl.gov/
The successful candidate will work closely with the CBI Lignin Valorization team to conduct biorefinery analyses related to lignin valorization to fuels and chemicals. Analyses will be used to guide experimental R&D and thus a close connection to experimental efforts will be critical. The candidate will work with both AspenPlus and other process modeling tools.
The successful candidate will be able to:
  • 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, and
  • work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers, chemists, and biologists.

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
  • Research experience with an emphasis on chemical process development
  • Demonstrated experience with process modeling with Aspen Plus
  • Demonstrated experience with doing statistical analysis (ie sensitivity or uncertainty)
  • PhD degree in chemical engineering or related field

Preferred Qualifications
  • Demonstrated experience with programming codes such as Python or R
  • Demonstrated experience with LCA tools such as Brightway, openLCA or SimaPro
  • Understanding of biomass conversion research and knowledge of lignin deconstruction chemistries
  • Relevant experience with sustainable materials and green chemistry practices

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.
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
E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.
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.

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