Postdoctoral Fluid Design for Densified Geothermal Fluids

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) matching

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to design and formulate high-density working fluids for superhot geothermal systems; focus on composition-property relationships and optimization under 375°C and 22 MPa.

The role involves experimental qualification, collaboration with geochemistry and thermodynamics teams, and potential extension to a third year based on performance and funding.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Geochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, or a closely related discipline with research experience relevant to liquid formulation, solution chemistry, thermodynamics, or reactive fluid systems.
• Substantial hands-on experience designing chemical fluid formulations is required for consideration from non‑chemistry backgrounds.
• Proven ability to design and formulate liquid or multiphase fluid systems to achieve targeted properties such as density, viscosity, or phase stability.

Responsibilities

• Design and formulate new high-density fluids for superhot geothermal systems.
• Establish composition-property relationships to guide formulation.
• Experimentally qualify promising fluids under extreme 375 °C and 22 MPa conditions.
• Collaborate with geochemistry, thermodynamics, and AI/ML groups to accelerate discovery.

Skills

Fluid design

Composition-property relationships

Thermodynamics

Molecular modeling

Python/MATLAB

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

HPHT rheometers

ICP-MS/OES

XRD/SEM

Job description

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to design and formulate high-density working fluids for superhot geothermal systems; focus on composition-property relationships and optimization under 375°C and 22 MPa.

The role involves experimental qualification, collaboration with geochemistry and thermodynamics teams, and potential extension to a third year based on performance and funding.