Predoctoral Appointee - Techno-Economic Analysis

Lemont, IL USA

Full time

423697

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a Predoctoral Appointee to support tool development and data management for the Techno-Economic Analysis Group within the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis (ESIA) Division. The successful candidate will contribute to the development, maintenance, and modernization of analytical tools used to evaluate the costs and performance of industrial, power, and transportation technologies and infrastructure, primarily ESTEEM.

The successful candidate will focus on supporting the development of the Energy Systems Techno-Economic Evaluation Model (ESTEEM). The candidate will expand ESTEEM to enable the study of potential technical, economic, and environmental benefits of the production, transport, and delivery of various commodities across the industrial, transportation, and power sectors.

Working with Argonne researchers and technical collaborators, the predoctoral appointee will support the conversion of existing Excel-based techno-economic models into Python modules for a centralized modeling platform. Responsibilities will include reviewing and documenting existing model calculations, assumptions, and data dependencies; translating spreadsheet calculations into modular, reusable Python code; and testing Python implementations against existing models to verify consistency and accuracy. The appointee will assist with codebase architecture and organization, including shared calculation modules, standardized model inputs and outputs, configuration management, and interfaces between models and databases.

The predoctoral appointee will also support the development and maintenance of technical datasets and databases, including data cleaning, validation, integration, version tracking, and documentation of data sources and assumptions. Additional responsibilities will include developing automated tests and quality-control checks; troubleshooting model and data issues; supporting updates to model parameters and datasets; and preparing technical documentation, user guidance, presentations, and progress summaries. The successful candidate will collaborate with researchers to translate analytical requirements into maintainable software and support the consistent implementation of techno-economic calculations across the modeling platform.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be completed Master’s degree in engineering, computer science, data science, applied mathematics, economics, or a related field.

• Proficiency in Python, including experience developing modular code and using libraries for data processing and numerical analysis, such as pandas and NumPy.

• Experience working with Excel-based models, including interpreting formulas, tracing calculation dependencies, and managing structured input and output data.

• Knowledge of software development practices, including code organization, reusable components, version control, testing, debugging, and documentation.

• Knowledge of database concepts and experience organizing, querying, validating, and maintaining technical datasets.

• Analytical and quantitative skills to interpret model calculations, reconcile results across implementations, and identify inconsistencies in data or assumptions.

• Ability to translate technical requirements and existing spreadsheet workflows into clear, maintainable Python implementations.

• Oral and written communication skills to explain technical issues, document model functionality, and communicate progress to researchers and other collaborators.

• Time-management and organizational skills to support multiple projects, meet deadlines, and track assigned deliverables.

• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

• This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience converting Excel-based engineering or economic models to Python.

• Familiarity with SQL, relational databases, and data integration workflows.

• Experience with Git-based collaborative development, automated testing, and continuous integration.

• Familiarity with techno-economic analysis concepts, such as capital and operating costs, cash-flow analysis, levelized costs, and sensitivity analysis.

• Experience supporting shared modeling platforms, including common data structures, model interfaces, and configuration-driven workflows.

Job Family

Temporary

Job Profile

Predoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $58,297.00-$97,161.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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