Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

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.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule : Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off—giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.

• Take time to recharge : You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.

• Prioritize wellness : Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.

• Better together : Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.

• Build your financial future : Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.

• Advance your education : Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

• Flexible work arrangements : You have options for where you work and when you work.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects

• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery

• Collaborate with world-class experts in an inclusive environment

• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders

• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients’ requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers