Postdoctoral: Engine Combustion & Experimental Thermal

Sandia Corporation; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible work arrangements

9/80 compressed work schedule

Telecommuting

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Appointee in Experimental Thermal Sciences & Engine Combustion. The role focuses on experimental and diagnostic methods to study combustion engines for ground transportation, aero-propulsion, and stationary power.

You will work under Sandia staff in a lab with state-of-the-art facilities. The position involves developing test instrumentation, data acquisition, optical diagnostics, and integration with CFD analyses.

Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering, the Physical Sciences, or a related field.
• A strong background in thermal sciences, fluid mechanics, and combustion sciences.
• Demonstrated accomplishment in experimental research.
• Experience with optical diagnostics.
• Experience with combustion research on engines or high-pressure systems.
• Programming experience (MATLAB, Python, C++, LabVIEW or similar).
• Familiarity with CAD software (Solidworks, Pro-E or similar).
• Working knowledge of pressure, chemical, and laser safety systems.
• Experience interfacing with DAQ systems and embedded controllers.
• Demonstrated initiative and willingness to take responsibility.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a teaming environment.

Responsibilities

• Designing, fabricating, installing, and evaluating test-facility instrumentation and control systems.
• Developing data acquisition and analysis capabilities using custom code and commercial software.
• Developing and applying optical, laser-based, and miniaturized sensor diagnostics to investigate flowing systems.
• Identifying and characterizing key physical and chemical processes that control these flows.
• Using CFD software or high-fidelity codes to investigate complex reacting processes.
• Integrating experimental and simulation data to develop insights and predictive tools.
• Collaborating with industry, universities, and other institutions.
• Developing and evaluating intellectual property related to engine combustion.
• Preparing high-impact journal articles, conference papers, and presentations.

Skills

Thermal sciences

Fluid mechanics

Combustion sciences

Experimental research

Communication skills

Initiative

Teamwork

Education

PhD in Engineering or Physical Sciences

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

LabVIEW

SolidWorks

Pro/E

DAQ systems

Job description

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Appointee in Experimental Thermal Sciences & Engine Combustion. The role focuses on experimental and diagnostic methods to study combustion engines for ground transportation, aero-propulsion, and stationary power.

You will work under Sandia staff in a lab with state-of-the-art facilities. The position involves developing test instrumentation, data acquisition, optical diagnostics, and integration with CFD analyses.