Energy System Modeling - Postdoctoral Researcher

LLNL; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to perform basic and applied research in continuum modeling, simulation, and optimization of energy and climate systems within the Computational Engineering Division (CED) of the Engineering Directorate.

You will build and extend continuum models, apply commercial and open-source tools, and develop HPC algorithms for efficient, accurate simulations. Hybrid work arrangements may be available.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, mathematics, computational science, or related field.
• Experience developing or modifying models and/or simulations using continuum approaches for energy systems.
• Experience programming in C/C++ and/or scripting languages (Python, MATLAB).
• Experience with commercial and open-source modeling/simulation codes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and development in energy materials and devices.
• Develop continuum models for fluid flow, mass/energy conservation, and reactions in energy systems.
• Use and extend LLNL simulation codes for electrochemical systems.
• Develop HPC algorithms for design optimization of engineering systems.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to solve challenging problems.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Python

MATLAB/Mathematica

Communication skills

Research independence

Education

PhD in engineering, mathematics, computational science, or related field

Tools

COMSOL

STAR-CCM+

ANSYS Fluent

OpenFOAM

FEniCS

Firedrake

Job description

• Full-time
• Employee Referral Bonus: Not applicable
• Job Code 1: PDS.1 Post-Dr Research Staff 1
• Pre-Employment Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
• Pre-Placement Medical Exam: Not applicable
• Security Clearance: Either no clearance, DOE L or Q clearance depending on assignment. Clearances require U.S. citizenship and a background investigation. Uncleared positions over 179 days may require an investigation.
• Position Type: Post Doctoral

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct basic and applied research in the continuum modeling, simulation, and optimization of energy and climate systems. You will work independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams to both apply existing commercial tools and develop custom physics-based modeling, simulation, and optimization codes in focus areas including energy generation, harvesting, storage, and conversion and carbon capture, storage, and conversion, and advanced manufacturing. This position is in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will

• Conduct research and development in energy materials and devices.
• Develop continuum models to describe the fluid flow, mass and energy conservation, and chemical reactions describing energy systems (e.g., electrochemical reactors, batteries, fuel cells, capacitors, heat exchangers, absorbers, etc.).
• Employ and extend continuum commercial, open-source, and/or custom LLNL simulation codes to model electrochemical systems.
• Develop and implement High-Performance Computing (HPC) algorithms and simulations for the optimal design of engineering systems governed by nonlinear, transient, multiscale, and coupled physical phenomena.
• Work with engineers and scientists to identify and solve challenging problems providing contributions on modeling, simulation, and design optimization.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internal and external to the Laboratory. Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences seminars and/or technical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• PhDin engineering, mathematics, computational science, or a related field.
• Experience developing or modifying models and/or simulations using continuum (finite-element/ finite-volume) approaches for a broad range of physical systems such as flowing reactive mass transfer systems (e.g., chemical reactors, electrochemical reactors, fuel cells, combustion, etc.), electrochemical phenomena, conjugate heat transfer, mass transfer, and structural mechanics.
• Experience programming in C/C++ and/or scripting languages like Python/Mathematica/MATLAB.
• Experience with commercial (e.g., COMSOL, STAR-CCM+, Ansys/Fluent, etc.), open-source (e.g., OpenFOAM, FEniCS, Firedrake, etc.), and/or other common modeling, simulation, and optimization codes.
• Ability to develop independent research projects as demonstrated through publication of peer-reviewed literature.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills needed to effectively collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment, present and explain technical information, document work, and prepare and present successful proposals and high-quality research papers.

Qualifications We Desire

• Detailed knowledge of continuum-scale models for simulating electrochemical systems.
• Experience with developing methods for structural and fracture mechanics coupled to electrochemical phenomena.
• Experience with homogenized and/or resolved formulations of partial differential equations (PDEs) for flow and transport in porous materials.
• Experience with explicit design sensitivity analysis via direct (forward) and adjoint (backward) methods applied to advanced shape/topology/design optimization techniques and algorithms.

Pay Range

$122,028 - $143,328 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

This position requires either no security clearance, or a Department of Energy (DOE) L-level or Q-level clearance depending on theparticular assignment.

If you are selected and a security clearance is required, wewillinitiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. L and Q-level clearances require U.S. citizenship.

If no security clearance is required, but your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities. The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position. To be qualified for this position, Candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

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