Research Aide - ESIA - Supply Chain Infrastructure & Economic Analysis for Plastic Recycling

UChicago Argonne, LLC is hiring a Research Aide for the Center for Energy, Economic and Environmental Systems Analysis. The role involves supporting research on the infrastructure and economic aspects of plastics recycling in the U.S., contributing to workflow automation and data analysis. Candidates must be full-time students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and will work part-time, with an hourly pay rate and benefits.
Our team at the Center for Energy, Economic and Environmental Systems Analysis at Argonne supports the Department of Energy, Advanced Manufacturing Office, on a multi-laboratory strategic analysis team. With this multi-laboratory team, we evaluate the feasibility and life cycle impacts of sustainable manufacturing and energy conversion systems. For this project, we are interested in understanding the infrastructure and economic investments required for increasing plastics recycling in the U.S, aiming at achieving EPA’s 50% recycling goal. The analysis leverages the reverse logistics optimization tool, RELOG. As a part of this effort, we are looking for a candidate to contribute to our analysis and workflow automation. The candidate will support research aimed at assessing the economics and infrastructure impacts of various supply chain pathways for plastics recycling. This is an exciting opportunity to apply technical skills while driving impactful environmental solutions. Tasks Under the guidance of the research supervisor(s), the student will perform the following tasks: Automate Workflows: Develop scripts to streamline the end-to end process of generating input, running the optimization and visualizing results. Data Analysis: Analyze the simulation results to extract insights on infrastructure impacts and economic feasibility Document project findings and share outcomes Education and Experience Requirements Must be currently enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and have completed at least one semester of schooling by the start of the program. Must be 18 years or older at the time the appointment begins. Must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If accepting an offer, must pass a screening drug test. Job Family Graduate Student Employment Job Profile Research Aide Technical - Masters Worker Type Employee Time Type Part time Scheduled Weekly Hours 20 Pay Rate Type Hourly The expected hiring range for this position is $26.17-$39.26. 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. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits! 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Ever since we were born out of the University of Chicago’s work on the Manhattan Project in the 1940s, our goal has been to make an impact — from the atomic to the human to the global scale. The laboratory works in concert with universities, industry, and other national laboratories on questions and experiments too large for any one institution to do by itself. Through collaborations here and around the world, we strive to discover new ways to develop energy innovations through science, create novel materials molecule-by-molecule, and gain a deeper understanding of our planet, our climate, and the cosmos. We pursue discovery by pushing boundaries, challenging ourselves and each other, and stretching our abilities. This makes Argonne an excellent place for university students to explore and test their own ideas in science and technology. 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