Postdoctoral Research Associate - Multifunctional Equipment Integration

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Retirement Plans

Flexible Work Hours

On-site Fitness

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

UT-Battelle at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance experimental and analytical work in thermal and energy system technologies. You will build and test facilities, analyze data, and collaborate with researchers across institutions to support national energy challenges.

The role emphasizes independent initiative, rigorous reporting, and contribution to publications and project deliverables for sponsors.

Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or related field earned in the last five years.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in design and operation of experimental thermal/fluid systems, mechanical systems and instrumentation, fluid dynamics, combustion, and heat transfer.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, coordinate, and report complex research on advanced thermal and energy system technologies.
• Develop and operate experimental facilities, instrumentation, and data acquisition; perform thermodynamic analysis and system modeling.
• Analyze and interpret results, identify challenges, and propose improvements and solutions.
• Prepare technical reports, peer‑reviewed papers, and presentations for sponsors and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across academia, national labs, government, and industry.

Skills

Research experience

Analytical skills

Excellent communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in mechanical or electrical engineering

Tools

EnergyPlus

CFD

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher who will focus on conducting, coordinating, and reporting complex research assignments related to advanced thermal and energy system technologies. This position resides in the Multifunctional Equipment Integration Group in the Thermal System Science Research Section, Buildings and Transportation Science Division, Energy Science and Technology Directorate, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting, coordinating, and reporting complex research assignments related to advanced thermal and energy system technologies, including:
• Conduct experimental and analytical research to evaluate advanced thermal and energy technologies, including energy-efficient building systems, thermal-fluid processes, industrial heating applications, data center thermal management, and other emerging energy technologies.
• Develop and operate experimental facilities, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems; conduct laboratory and field testing; and perform thermodynamic analysis, system modeling, and performance assessments.
• Analyze and interpret experimental and modeling results, identify technical challenges, develop solutions, and provide recommendations for system improvement.
• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and project deliverables for sponsors and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and engage with researchers, engineers, and stakeholders from universities, national laboratories, government agencies, and private industry.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications

• A PhD in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline obtained in the last five years.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in (a) design and operation of experimental thermal/fluid systems, (b) mechanical systems and instrumentation, (c) fluid dynamics, combustion, and heat transfer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with building energy modeling and simulation tools such as EnergyPlus, or similar platforms for energy simulation and analysis, including model development, calibration, and application.
• Experience with computational methods including steady-state modeling, dynamic simulation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to support system design and performance optimization.
• Experience in data center thermal management technologies, including air cooling, liquid cooling, direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, two-phase cooling, waste heat recovery, thermal energy storage, or cooling system optimization.
• Innovative thinking and problem solving.
• A proven publication record.
• Experience with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment is also a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

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.

Three references are required. Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or send them to [e-mail] with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

For Foreign National Candidates

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

• medical and retirement plans
• flexible work hours
• on-site fitness
• banking
• cafeteria facilities
• 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
• Employee Discounts

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

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.