Postdoctoral Research Associate - Large-Scale Simulations for Additive Manufacturing

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Multiscale Materials (MsM) group within the Advanced Computing Methods for Physical Sciences Section (CSED). The role focuses on multiscale simulations and ML methods for additive manufacturing, virtual manufacturing, material characterization, and topology optimization.

The candidate will contribute to AI-driven multiscale models, uncertainty quantification, and real-time sensing,

Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering, materials, welding or related field with computational modeling focus (within 5 years).
• Expertise in multi-physics simulations, digital twin, surrogate and reduced-order models and ML tools for material quantification and defects.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and motivation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary research environment with computational scientists, computer scientists, experimentalists, and engineers/physicists.
• Develop multi-physics simulations with ML methods for modeling and optimization of metallic materials and manufacturing processes.
• Design integrated, scalable numerical methods and uncertainty quantification.
• Follow team planning, documentation, verification and validation, and manufacturing-material simulation quality processes.
• Author papers, reports, and proposals and represent the organization in technical forums.

Skills

Machine learning

Multiphysics simulations

Computational modeling

Digital twin

Surrogate models

Reduced-order models

Communication skills

Education

PhD in mechanical engineering / materials / welding or related field with computational focus

Tools

Finite Element Methods (FEM)

High Performance Computing (HPC)

Machine learning tools

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the development and application of advanced multiphysics simulations, and machine learning (ML) methods relevant to additive manufacturing (AM), virtual manufacturing, material characterization, topology optimization, and real-time sensing. This position resides in the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division (CSED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). CSED focuses on transdisciplinary computational science and analytics at scale to enable scientific discovery across the physical sciences, engineered systems, and biomedicine and health. It provides foundations and advances in quantum information sciences to enable quantum computers, devices, and networked systems. It develops community applications, data assets, and technologies and provides assurance to build knowledge and impact in novel, crosscut-science outcomes.

The candidate will be a postdoctoral researcher within the Multiscale Materials (MsM) group of the Advanced Computing Methods for Physical Sciences Section in CSED. The MsM group is focused on delivering multiscale, multi-fidelity computational models and systems using algorithms and analytics for materials and related physical sciences for a broad range of energy, transportation, and advanced manufacturing applications. The MsM group also develops artificial intelligence (AI) and foundational ML models to accelerate multiscale materials and flow sciences.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary research environment consisting of computational scientists, computer scientists, experimentalists, and engineers/physicists conducting basic and applied research in support of the Laboratory's missions.
• Participate in the development of multi-physics simulations with machine learning (ML) methods for modeling and optimization of metallic materials and advanced manufacturing processes.
• Participate in the design of integrated, scalable numerical methods and uncertainty quantification.
• Follow team planning, documentation, verification and validation, and manufacturing-material-related simulation quality processes.
• Author peer reviewed papers, technical papers, reports and proposals for internal and external release as well as represent the organization by giving technical presentations in large public forums.

Basic Qualifications

• A PhD degree in mechanical engineering, material science, welding engineering or a relevant engineering field with emphasis on computational modeling and simulations within the past 5 years
• Expertise in the development and application of multi-physics simulations, digital twin, surrogate and reduced-order models and machine learning tools for part qualification and quantification of distortion, residual stress, microstructure and fatigue.
• Effective interpersonal skills, written and oral communication skills, and strong motivation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in multi-physics simulations using Finite Element Methods (FEM) for part qualification and quantification
• Demonstrated expertise in design and implementation of multi-physics codes for metal AM applications including thermo-mechanical response as well as microstructure and phase transformation response
• Demonstrated expertise in process development/optimization for digital twin, surrogate and reduced-order models and ML/AI tools applied to macro-scale deformation in AM
• Experience with multi-physics simulations on high performance computing (HPC) and ML
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary research environment

Special Requirements

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

• Export control, no clearance: This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.
• Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.