R&D Associate - Performance Portability for Coupled Physics Applications

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and retirement plans

Flexible work hours

On-site fitness

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks an R&D Associate in the CCP Group to advance performance portable software for coupled physics applications. The role emphasizes modeling and simulation of mechanical and fluid phenomena on modern HPC hardware, with a focus on API libraries like Kokkos and Cabana for portability.

The candidate will contribute to developing underlying libraries, writing technical papers, and engaging with the HPC community to advance performance portable methods in

Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics or related field with computational modeling focus.
• Expertise in multi-physics simulations and performance portability libraries.
• Experience with accelerator programming models such as CUDA, HIP, SYCL, OpenMP, MPI.
• Proven publication record and strong written/oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary research environment across science and engineering.
• Participate in developing Kokkos, a C++ performance portability library.
• Contribute to Cabana and CabanaPD for particle-based HPC simulations.
• Develop software design patterns for sustainable research software.
• Prepare peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and proposals.

Skills

Multi-physics simulations

Performance portability

GPU programming

Scientific software development

Communication & publications

Education

PhD in mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics or related field

Tools

Kokkos

Cabana

CabanaPD

CUDA/HIP/SYCL/OpenMP/MPI

Job description

Overview

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.

Requisition Id 16901

Level: RP02

Job Description

The Computational Coupled Physics (CCP) Group within the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division (CSED), at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking an R&D Associate to support performance portable software for applications in coupled physics applications. The successful candidate will have a strong background in modeling and simulation of physical phenomena, especially structural and fluid mechanics on contemporary high-performance hardware. Primary tasks will include development and performance improvements for hardware-portable scientific software and participation in development of underlying libraries for performance portability. A strong background in particle based and statistical modeling is preferred. Competency in programming across hardware types, especially for GPUs across multiple hardware vendors, as well as experience in software sustainability and design patterns is expected.

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 Kokkos, a C++ performance portability library.
• Participate in the development of Cabana and CabanaPD, which are HPC targeted libraries for particle-based simulation.
• Develop software design patterns that are applicable to a wide variety of HPC applications and ensure sustainability of research software.
• Follow team planning, documentation, verification and validation, and development.
• 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.
• Engage with the broader community for computational methods, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and real-world coupled physics applications.
• Deliver on ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

Basic Qualifications

• A PhD degree in mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics or a relevant engineering field with emphasis on computational modeling and simulations.
• Expertise in the development and application of multi-physics simulations and performance portability libraries.
• Experience with accelerator programming models such as CUDA, HIP, SYCL, OpenMP, MPI, etc.
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills, a proven publication record, and effective interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in multi-physics simulations using particle-based simulations
• Demonstrated expertise in design and implementation of multi-physics codes for mechanics and fluid mechanics
• Demonstrated expertise in performance portable development or strong background in multiple accelerator programming models
• Experience with the Kokkos C++ library
• Experience with multi-physics simulations on high-performance computing (HPC) hardware
• 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

Technical Questions

Alex Plotkowski ( [e-mail] ), Bruno Turcksin ( [e-mail] )

Benefits

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, and Employee Discounts.

Special Requirements

• 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.

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.

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.