Heat Pipe Thermal-Fluids Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the role

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a well-qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mechanical/Nuclear Engineering or comparable discipline for the Reactor Systems and Heat Transport Department. This postdoctoral researcher will focus on developing next generation thermal management and heat pipe delivery systems. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of REC (in-town) facilities with every other Friday off.

What you will do

• Support the development and evaluation of heat-pipe technologies for the DOE Microreactor Program, the space reactor program, and other government-sponsored projects.
• Perform thermal-fluid modeling, experimental testing, and analysis of heat-pipe performance, including startup, steady-state operation, freeze/thaw behavior, and operating limits.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design experiments, validate computational models, interpret test data, and advance heat-pipe systems for nuclear energy applications.
• Write scientific manuscripts for journal publication and present research results at national and international conferences and meetings.

Minimum 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.
• Must meet applicable laboratory employment, security, and site-access requirements.

Ideal candidate will possess

• Direct experience with sodium heat pipes, thermosyphons, or capillary-driven two-phase systems.
• Knowledge of heat-pipe startup, freeze/thaw behavior, sonic and capillary limits, entrainment, dryout, and noncondensable-gas effects.
• Experience with sodium-compatible materials, corrosion, welding, fabrication, and component cleaning.
• Familiarity with nuclear-reactor thermal management, particularly microreactor or space-reactor applications.
• Experience validating analytical or computational models against experimental data.
• Record of technical publications or conference presentations related to heat pipes, liquid metals, or advanced energy systems.

Physical requirements

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment.
• Requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms.
• Requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance.
• Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay

$105,144.00 annually. Compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package

Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification. At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.