Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI and CFD
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory conducting multidisciplinary research in computing, AI, energy, materials, nuclear science, neutron science, isotopes, and national security.
Funding history
Investors
About Oak Ridge National Laboratory
ORNL is a government-owned, contractor-operated U.S. Department of Energy research laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. UT-Battelle operates ORNL for DOE; the laboratory currently provides AI and high-performance-computing capabilities alongside science and engineering research infrastructure.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will develop, qualify, and deploy AI agents, models, CFD simulation codes, and finite-element tools for fission and fusion applications. You will conduct large-scale multiphysics simulations, validate models, quantify uncertainty, optimize designs, create scientific-computing workflows, and communicate findings through publications, reports, and presentations.
Requirements
- PhD or equivalent experience in nuclear, mechanical, or chemical engineering, engineering physics, or a related field completed within the last five years
- Experience with Python, C, and/or C++ programming
- Experience applying and extending CFD codes for nuclear or similarly complex thermal-energy systems
- Experience with OpenFOAM, Nek5000, STAR-CCM+, ANSYS, COMSOL, or similar CFD codes
- Knowledge of finite-element simulation methods
- Experience with parallel Linux computing platforms, parallel job scripts, GitHub, and ParaView
- Ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge and complete required background screening
Responsibilities
- Conduct research and develop CFD methods and models for nuclear energy systems
- Perform large-scale fission and fusion simulations
- Employ finite-element tools for tritium transport simulations
- Support coordinated multiphysics simulations
- Develop reduced-order calibration and machine-learning approaches
- Perform simulation verification, model validation, uncertainty quantification, and documentation
- Optimize system and component designs for performance and safety
- Develop agentic workflows for scientific computing
- Author technical publications and deliver technical presentations
Benefits
- Medical plan
- Retirement plans
- Flexible work hours
- On-site fitness facilities
- On-site banking facilities
- On-site cafeteria facilities
- Prescription drug plan
- Dental plan
- Vision plan
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Contributory pension plan
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
- Vacation and holidays
- Parental leave
- Legal insurance with identity-theft protection
- Employee assistance plan
- Flexible spending accounts
- Health savings accounts
- Wellness programs
- Educational assistance
- Employee discounts
- Relocation assistance for certain positions