Postdoctoral Research Associate - Multifunctional Equipment Integration (Materials)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Prescription Drug Plan

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Benefits

Generous Vacation and Holidays

Parental Leave

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance multifunctional equipment integration for buildings and grid applications. The role sits in the Thermal Systems Science Section, contributing to advanced materials, cooling, and thermal management for electronics.

Ideal candidates hold a PhD in a related field, with strong experimental skills, a solid publication record, and ability to work independently and within collaborative teams across the laboratory.

Qualifications

• PhD completed in last five years.
• Strong hands-on experimental research experience.
• Prolific publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and in teams.
• Ability to prioritize and adapt in fast-paced research environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and report research on insulation materials, cooling solutions, thermal management, and separation processes.
• Develop experimental setups, synthesize materials, fabricate devices, and optimize processes.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

Hands-on experimental research

Advanced materials synthesis

Device fabrication

Instrumentation and characterization

Independent work

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering or related field

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

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Postdoctoral Research Associate - Multifunctional Equipment Integration (Materials)

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher who will focus on the development of innovative processes and technology that can be applied to buildings and the grid. This position resides in the Multifunctional Equipment Integration Group in the Thermal Systems Science Section, Buildings and Transportation Science Division, Energy Science and Technology Directorate atOak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct, coordinate, and report results on complex research related to following: 1) advanced electrical insulation materials; (2) advanced cooling solutions for energy systems; (3) thermal management for electronics and data centers; and (4) separation processes for building environments.
• Develop experimental setup, problem-solving, conduct experimental campaigns, perform materials synthesis and analysis, sub-component fabrication, process optimization and integration, and prepare technical documents and research publications.
• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner fashion.
• Help the team goals and work with other team members
• Interact and collaborate with researchers from universities, national laboratories, and 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, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline completed in the last five years.
• Strong hands-on experience in experimental research, including materials synthesis, device fabrication, instrumentation, experimental setup development, and advanced characterization techniques.
• An excellent record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in one or more of the following areas is of particular interest: (a) Advanced functional materials, including polymer composites, dielectric materials, thermal interface materials, and multifunctional materials. (b) Heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermal sciences, and thermal management. (c) Nanofluids, phase-change materials, and advanced cooling technologies. (d) Membranes, adsorption/sorption, separation processes.
• Experience in AI/ML for materials discovery and process optimization would be a plus

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.

• Letters of Recommendation: Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to [e-mail] (For postdocs, [e-mail] ) with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

• Security, Credentialing and Eligibility Requirements: For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

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.

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
• 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.

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.