Postdoctoral Researcher: Heat-Pipe Thermal-Fluid Systems

Idaho National Laboratory; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 95,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Package

Tuition assistance

401(k) with employer contribution

Paid time off

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mechanical/Nuclear Engineering to develop next-generation thermal management and heat pipe delivery systems. The role involves modeling, experiments, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, with opportunities to publish in journals and present at conferences.

The position requires a Ph.D. in a related field within the last five years, expertise in heat transfer and two-phase systems, and experience with

Qualifications

• Ph.D. completed within the past five years in mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated background in heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or thermal-fluid systems.
• Experience modeling or experimentally evaluating heat pipes, liquid-metal systems, or other two-phase heat-transfer devices.
• Ability to develop, execute, and document thermal-fluid analyses using tools such as Python, MATLAB, CFD software, or system-level modeling codes.
• Experience designing experiments, selecting instrumentation, analyzing data, and quantifying measurement uncertainty.
• Familiarity with alkali-metal handling, high-temperature testing, vacuum systems, or inert-atmosphere operations.
• Ability to safely conduct laboratory work.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, including preparation of peer-reviewed publications and technical reports.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Developing next generation thermal management and heat pipe delivery systems.
• Support the development and evaluation of heat-pipe technologies for DOE programs.
• Perform thermal-fluid modeling, experimental testing, and analysis of heat-pipe performance.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design experiments and validate models.
• Write scientific manuscripts and present results at conferences.

Skills

Heat transfer

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Python

MATLAB

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical/Nuclear/Chemical Eng or related

Tools

CFD software

System-level modeling codes

Job description

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mechanical/Nuclear Engineering to develop next-generation thermal management and heat pipe delivery systems. The role involves modeling, experiments, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, with opportunities to publish in journals and present at conferences.

The position requires a Ph.D. in a related field within the last five years, expertise in heat transfer and two-phase systems, and experience with