Postdoc or Staff Research Scientist, Life-Cycle Assessment

The Desert Research Institute's (DRI's) Division of Atmospheric Sciences is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher or Staff Research Scientist in the area of life-cycle assessment (LCA) of energy and environmental impacts of various systems and processes. This position is located at DRI’s Northern Nevada Science Center in Reno, NV. While housed within DRI’s Division of Atmospheric Sciences, this position is intended to interact and collaborate across all three of DRI’s science divisions (including Hydrologic Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, and Earth and Ecosystem Sciences), as well as with appropriate research groups within the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). We seek an individual with a strong research background and a passion for advancing sustainability and environmental impact assessments.

The successful candidate will become involved in an existing research project investigating environmental issues related to lithium in Nevada. The overall concept of the “lithium loop” is to position Nevada as a leader in the mining, processing, manufacturing, and recycling of lithium used in advanced battery technologies. At each step of this loop, LCA tools will be used to assess energy and environmental impacts. The successful candidate will have a strong background in LCA methodologies and will have experience in applying LCA tools to similar, multi-step industrial processes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOTH LEVELS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution plus three years’ experience in environmental research, or a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Familiarity with common LCA software (e.g., SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA) and databases.
• Experience with modern programming and data analysis languages (e.g., Python, R, or Matlab)
• Demonstrated experience in conducting LCA research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the English language.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in diverse research teams.
• Commitment to academic integrity and ethics.

In addition, candidates for Postdoctoral Researcher are required to have the following:

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Environmental Science and Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Industrial Ecology, or a related field.
• Potential to publish research in high-impact journals related to LCA and sustainability.
• Ability to effectively analyze and report research findings to sponsors, at conferences, and during professional meetings.
• Ability to collaboratively develop research proposals and participate in grant writing to obtain research funding.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOTH LEVELS

• Existing research network within the mining and mineral industry.
• Experience with environmental impact assessment, battery materials production and manufacturing, resource efficiency, and sustainability metrics.
• Familiarity with the unique environmental challenges and opportunities in arid regions such as Nevada.
• Potential to contribute to grant writing efforts to secure research funding.
• Willingness to engage in community outreach and institutional service activities.

Organizational Summary

For more than 60 years, the Desert Research Institute has functioned as the nonprofit, non-degree-granting environmental research arm of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Focused on basic and applied research, the Institute’s unique model blends academia with entrepreneurship to deliver a wide variety of scientific services and research-generated knowledge to its sponsors and clients.

DRI faculty are nontenured and responsible for generating their own salaries and Institute operating revenues through external funding. DRI also receives a portion of its annual operating revenues from the State of Nevada. As an autonomous organization in NSHE, DRI maintains financial and personnel policies and procedures that differ from other NSHE institutions.

The position will be based in Reno situated in northwestern Nevada at the base of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe. Reno boasts 300 days of sunshine and offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor activities ranging from mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, whitewater paddling, and golfing in the summer and fall to alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Promotion Potential and Career Progression

Postdocs and early career faculty, including Staff Research Scientists, are provided with considerable support and mentoring to give them every opportunity to be successful in a research career. Incumbents will have the opportunity to participate in both formal and informal early career mentoring programs provided by DRI Human Resources.

DRI postdoctoral research positions have long served as the first step to a successful research career at DRI and at other institutions. Postdoctoral researchers hired from this posting may be eligible for promotion to regular faculty (Assistant Research Professor) upon the successful completion of their postdoc. To support the postdoc in working towards this goal, the DRI division the postdoc is hired under will provide professional development support for the incumbent to begin to develop their own research program as a postdoc. DRI postdocs are eligible to serve as PIs on research grants, and the incumbent will be encouraged to collaborate with colleagues across DRI and at other institutions. Promotion from Postdoctoral Researcher to Assistant Research Professor can occur when the Postdoctoral Researcher demonstrates the ability to develop and sustain their own funding.

DRI faculty are supported through competitive grants and contracts with external funding agencies, and faculty therefore have access to considerable administrative support and an Institute-wide entrepreneurial approach to maintaining success in developing funding programs. DRI has been successful in using this model to create scientific breakthroughs and applied science solutions to some of the most challenging problems facing the nation and the world for over 60 years. DRI is a research-focused institution and teaching and advising of graduate students is not required but is possible through the Graduate Schools at the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

DRI is deeply committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce and recognizes that encouraging a diverse culture strengthens problem solving skills and creativity and increases productivity. Additionally, an inclusive and diverse environment improves the workplace culture and encourages employee engagement. DRI also takes measures consistent with Title IX to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students, faculty and staff. Additional information can be found at DRI's Diversity and Inclusion Webpage.

Salary / Benefits for Postdoctoral Researcher

The minimum annual starting salary for the Postdoctoral Research position is $65,000. DRI offers a postdoc benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, 6.2% retirement match, 1.25 annual leave days per month, a beginning balance of 15 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and the choice of three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with non-expiring flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts. Additionally, there is no state income tax in Nevada and no social security deduction. This position is eligible for relocation assistance. Additional information can be found at www.dri.edu/careers.

Salary / Benefits for Staff Research Scientist

The minimum annual starting salary for the Staff Research Scientist position is $60,206. DRI offers a benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance, and a 17.5% retirement match (fully vested on day 1). Our Staff Research Scientist benefits package also offers 24 annual leave days, a beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and the choice of three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with non-expiring flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts. Additionally, there is no state income tax in Nevada and no social security deduction. This position is eligible for relocation assistance. Additional information can be found at www.dri.edu/careers.

Application / Review Process

Qualified individuals interested in this position must apply online.Please upload the following documents in the specified section of your application in Workday:

1. A cover letter detailing your research experience and career goals
2. A current curriculum vitae
3. Contact information for three professional/work-related references, to be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process based on applicant permission

Qualified individuals who meet all qualifications and requirements are encouraged to apply immediately and provide all required attachments to receive full consideration. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received, or a hiring decision has been made.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES

DRI employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Browse Jobs” report within Workday to find and apply for jobs at DRI and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Browse Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, “R0144673” in the search box.

For more detailed information about DRI, please visit us at www.dri.edu. For questions regarding this position or assistance with your application, please email jobs@dri.edu or call the recruiting office at 775-673-7431.