Postdoctoral Researcher - Macroeconomist

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Macroeconomist. This is a full-time position with the Systems Assessment Center in the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis Division. We are seeking applicants with a strong technical background and expertise in international trade modeling, particularly in the upstream automotive, energy, and critical materials supply chains. In this role, you will be responsible for analyzing existing and future supply chains, with a specific focus on understanding the complexities and challenges associated with rules of origin, labor value content, and customs valuation of US imports in these industries. Your work will contribute to the understanding of sustainable and efficient transportation and energy supply chains and play a crucial role in shaping the future of renewable energy. Economic assessments will include estimates of job creation, wages, and GDP attributed to foreign direct investment in the United States, reshoring, and near-shoring of these critical industries as domestic trade policies shift towards protectionism at varying levels of granularity.

The Macroeconomist will collect, synthesize, and process information to develop high-quality datasets and derive empirically driven results; work with other team members to develop and apply cutting-edge methodologies to address critical analytical issues; provide rigorous and objective results; publish journal articles and reports; and present results to sponsors and at conferences, workshops, and project meetings. The Macroeconomist will join project teams, including experts in a variety of topics and will regularly collaborate with experts in other Argonne groups as well as in industry and across the federal government. The Macroeconomist will consider economic factors, such as costs, pricing structures, market trends, and free trade agreements and other regulatory compliance measures, to understand the international flows of critical materials throughout the automotive, batteries, and other energy supply chains, from raw minerals extraction to manufactured components, particularly as it applies to US imports and exports. The Macroeconomist will utilize advanced techniques including partial equilibrium or CGE modeling of trade flows for scenario analyses, and GIS (Geographic Information System) capabilities to map and visualize international supply chain networks and to identify bottlenecks in gaps in the domestic supply chain.

The Systems Assessment Center includes a diverse group of engineers, technology analysts, economists, policy analysts, and planners who work with the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors to assess programs and develop tools for the public to use in calculating potential environmental and economic impacts resulting from the deployment of new technologies. If you are passionate about sustainable energy solutions and optimizing supply chains for a more energy-secure future, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in Economics, Regional Science, Public Policy, Engineering, or a related field.

• 2-3 years of work or research experience in energy supply chain analysis, global trade modeling, or a closely related field.

• Analytical skills and the ability to apply economic principles to supply chain analysis.

• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a highly collaborative and productive environment.

• Familiarity with a wide range of data sources relevant for economic and environmental analysis, and the ability to identify topics and data sources and engage experts to conduct research. Capable of identifying key features of complex systems and processes.

• Well-developed problem solving, systems thinking, quantitative, and critical thinking skills; intellectual curiosity. Able to structure and formulate solutions to complex problems.

• Highly motivated attitude and detailed-oriented approach with the ability to work independently to deliver.

• Skills in written and verbal communication, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.

• Knowledge in energy systems and/or critical materials and relevant issues

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

• Ability to make our laboratory a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment where all can thrive.

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

US citizenship: To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, w