Job Summary

We are currently seeking an Environmental Scientist. This position is located in Pittsburgh, PA.

The selected candidate will work alongside world class engineers and researchers supporting the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). This work will involve a multi-disciplinary, scientific, and technically oriented national laboratory team, with participation alongside other data scientists, engineers, geologists, and computer scientists that produces technological solutions for America’s energy challenges. The successful candidate will conduct research to characterize CH4 emissions from natural gas infrastructure. Current CH4 emissions measurement efforts are focused on abandoned O&G wells, natural gas gathering pipelines, metering, and regulating stations, and natural gas storage wells (specifically, storage well blowout events). The team seeks a candidate with a strong background in EPA methodology such as the following: EPA Other Test Method (OTM) 33A, Geospatial Measurement of Air Pollution, Remote Emissions Quantification – Direct Assessment is a plus. Familiarity with the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory structure and sources of data, particularly regarding emissions from the oil and natural gas sector are a plus. This role will be heavily field based but also include experimental research. You will have the opportunity to primary author and/or co-author reports, manuscripts, and articles suitable for publication.

Responsibilities

• Assisting NETL staff to obtain cooperation from natural gas operators and/or landowners to secure site access agreements for field campaigns.
• Designing field campaigns for determination of emission rates from natural gas infrastructure in multiple regions.
• Developing standard operating procedures and safety protocols for field campaigns including utilization of different CH4 measurement equipment.
• Collecting, recording, and analyzing methane concentration/emission rate and meteorological data.
• Coordinate and manage field campaigns to survey and locate oil and gas wells in high probability areas.
• Pilot, assemble, and maintain drones with IR and methane sensor payloads.
• Preparing quarterly progress reports and internal presentations on project progress.
• Disseminating results via journal articles and national conference presentations.
• Development of new intellectual property based on the innovative research.
• Period status reporting and project reports (weekly/monthly/quarterly/annually) is required to update project managers and clients.
• Provide leadership and expertise on field projects including delegation to team members and communication of project milestone status to management.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in the Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Geology, or other related degree with foundational understanding of emissions measurements or other related field of study with 5 years of relevant based technical experience or Master’s Degree with 2 years of relevant based technical experience or PhD.
• Strong experience in planning and executing field sampling campaigns, collecting field-based environmental data and subsequent analysis.
• Experience with using ambient air monitoring analytical instruments (e.g., Los Gatos UGGA) including calibration, repair, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with using meteorological instruments (e.g., 3D ultrasonic anemometers that measure wind parameters) including calibration, repair, and troubleshooting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as this position requires extensive interface with clients and potential collaborative partners.
• Must be able to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.
• Ability to travel to the other NETL campuses as business needs require (up to 10%)
• Knowledge and experience with active, marginal, and abandoned wells.
• Must be U.S. Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Familiarity with dispersion modeling (e.g., Gaussian plume modeling) and statistical data analyses of environmental data.
• Proficient with ArcGIS and ESRI products.
• Experience with geochemistry and mechanical engineering experiments.
• Experience with well infrastructure, materials, and design.
• Experience assembling and operating drones and drone sensor payloads.
• First authorship of posters/presentations at national conferences and/or peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Proficient in using a programming language such as Matlab or Python.