Postdoctoral Research Associate- FAST RG: Experimental Thermal Hydraulics/Thermal-Fluids

Position Responsibilities

The FAST research group in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering is seeking applications from interested candidates to join as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. In general, postdoctoral research associate will conduct CFD and system level modeling of advanced nuclear and fusion energy systems and support experimental testing in scaled surrogate fluids facilities for both thermal performance and detailed velocimetry (flow visualization) data. Initially, the research projects for this position will involve supporting a center funded project focused on molten salt flow loop experimental testing using surrogate fluids and computational modeling.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field such as Physics.
• Academic background in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and/or (chemical) transport phenomena.
• At least three combined years of experimental testing in thermal hydraulics/thermal-fluids during PhD involving flow loops including working with thermocouples, pressure transducers and flow meters and setting up data acquisitioning equipment (electrical wiring/circuits).
• Ability to mentor junior team members (graduate and undergraduate students), and ensure the highest levels of laboratory safety (ability to handle laboratory hygiene and any findings).
• Excellent communication skills: Ability to communicate verbally (one-on-one, group, and presentations) and non-verbally (email, journal/conference papers).
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and short turnaround times.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a postdoc at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with experiments involving natural/free circulation of fluids and measurements involving thermocouples, pressure sensors, and indirect flow sensing.
• Note: A contributed section in DOE report in OSTI would be considered as sufficient.
• Experience doing system modeling and/or CFD modeling of heat transport loops or relevant systems.
• Note: A contributed section in DOE report in OSTI would be considered as sufficient.
• Experience mentoring students (undergraduate and graduate) and project management to generate deliverables for sponsor deadlines.
• Previous working experience of the CFD code (nek5000/nekRS) as applied to an LWR and/or advanced reactor (HTGR, SFR, MSR, other) with specific experience setting up cases (input decks, post processing), running, troubleshooting, and data analysis resulting in one or more conference/journal publication.
• Note: A contributed section in DOE report in OSTI would be considered as sufficient.

About The College Of Engineering

Additional information about the department’s programs and faculty may be found at https://egr.vcu.edu/departments/mechanical/.