Postdoctoral Research Associate - Modeling, Control, and AI for Thermal Systems

We need to output HTML fragment with sections: About the role (overview), Responsibilities (Major Duties/Responsibilities), Requirements (Basic Qualifications), maybe Preferred Qualifications as separate? Could combine but better separate sections: Requirements (Basic), Preferred Qualifications, Benefits (if any), Pay (none), Schedule (none). The posting mentions ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs, lists benefits. So we have Benefits section with list. Pay not specified, so omit. Schedule not specified, omit. We must not repeat job title as heading. Use

for section headings. We need to preserve all substantive info, remove boilerplate: cookie/navigation/legal/EEO/equal-opportunity/scam-warning, duplicated lines, application instructions. Also remove "Requisition Id 17135 Overview" maybe keep overview but not as heading? The overview paragraph after "Overview" is the role description. We'll put that under About the role. We need to include minor metadata like maybe location? Not given. Could include a short paragraph with Requisition ID? The instruction: do NOT put Job ID / requisition numbers as headings — fold minor metadata into a short

or drop it. So we can include a short p with "Requisition ID: 17135". Probably okay. We must not include application instructions like "Please submit two letters of reference..." etc. Those are application instructions, should be removed. Also remove "Instructions To Upload Documents..." etc. Also remove "Special Requirements" maybe? That's not application instruction but could be considered part of requirements? It includes Ph.D. time limit, appointment length, etc. That's substantive info about the position, so we should keep it under Requirements or a separate section like "Appointment Details". But we only have headings for About the role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Pay, Schedule. Qualifications could cover Basic and Preferred. Requirements maybe same as Qualifications. We'll follow guidance: Use headings for those categories if content exists. We'll have:

About the role

... overview paragraph ...

Responsibilities

• ... each duty ...

Requirements

maybe split into Basic and Preferred? Could have two sub-sections but not headings? Could use

but only allowed h3? Not specified; we can still use h3 for section headings; subheadings maybe not needed. We could list Basic Qualifications as

and then Preferred Qualifications as another
under same heading? Might be okay. Better:

Basic Qualifications

and

Preferred Qualifications

but those are not in the list of allowed headings? The list includes Qualifications as a heading. Could use

Qualifications

and inside have Basic and Preferred as or separate

. But instruction: Use

for section headings (e.g. About the role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Pay, Schedule). So we should stick to those exact headings. So we can have:

About the role

Responsibilities

Requirements

Qualifications

Benefits

But Requirements and Qualifications may overlap. Could combine Basic under Requirements and Preferred under Qualifications. That seems fine. Thus: - About the role: overview paragraph. - Responsibilities: list of duties. - Requirements: Basic Qualifications bullet list. - Qualifications: Preferred Qualifications bullet list. - Benefits: list of benefits. We need to preserve all substantive info: include appointment length up to 24 months, potential extension, etc. That is not in Basic or Preferred; maybe put under Requirements as additional bullet? Or maybe under About the role? Could add a paragraph after overview about appointment details. But we must not invent headings. Could add a

under About the role containing that info. However the instruction: "Prefer a few substantive sections over many thin ones." So we could add a short paragraph after overview about appointment details within About the role. Also include "Special Requirements" about Ph.D. time limit etc. That's basically same as Basic Qualifications? Actually Basic Qualifications includes Ph.D. within last five years. Special Requirements repeats that plus appointment length etc. We'll incorporate appointment length and reference letters requirement maybe? But reference letters is application instruction, should be removed. So we keep appointment length. Thus About the role paragraph will include overview and appointment length. Now Benefits: list from ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs... list many items. We'll include those as

• . We must not include boilerplate like "ORNL is an equal opportunity employer..." etc. Remove EEO lines. Also remove "UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer." etc. Also remove "This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days..." etc (application instruction). Remove "We accept Word..." etc. Now produce HTML fragment. Let's craft. Overview paragraph: "We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate – Modeling, Controls, and AI for Thermal Systems to advance the design, operation, and maintenance of thermal systems through data-driven modeling and optimization. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of thermal-fluid sciences, control theory, and artificial intelligence/machine learning to advance the design and operation of next-generation thermal systems, developing strategies to model, optimize, predict, and autonomously control thermal systems behavior in complex systems. The candidate will contribute to developing and improving the performance of next-generation thermal systems—including HVAC, water heating, and data center cooling—at both the system and component level. This position resides in the Building Equipment Research Group in the Buildings and Transportation Science Division in the Energy Science and Technology Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)." Add appointment details: "The appointment is for up to 24 months with potential for extension, subject to performance and funding availability." Now Responsibilities list: copy each bullet from Major Duties/Responsibilities. Let's list them: - Develop physics-based, data-driven, and hybrid (physics-informed ML) models of thermal systems to capture dynamic thermal behavior - Validate models against experimental data and refine model accuracy and computational efficiency - Model thermal system design, operation, and maintenance scenarios to support optimization and decision-making - Analyze and improve performance of HVAC, water heating, and data center cooling systems - Work across system-level and component-level design challenges - Integrate predictive and optimization techniques to enhance system efficiency, reliability, and autonomy - Design and implement advanced control strategies (e.g., model predictive control, adaptive control, feedback/feedforward control, ML-based controls) for thermal system optimization - Integrate real-time sensor data and telemetry into closed-loop control frameworks - Test and validate control algorithms through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and/or physical testbeds - Apply machine learning techniques to predict thermal system performance and detect anomalies - Develop AI-driven predictive maintenance strategies to anticipate system failures or performance degradation - Use AI/ML methods to optimize thermal system design parameters and operating conditions - Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. - Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success. Note the last two are about values/EEO; but they are part of responsibilities? Might be considered boilerplate but they are substantive about ORNL mission. However instruction says remove EEO/equal-opportunity boilerplate. The line "Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success." is EEO. So we should remove that line. The line about delivering ORNL’s mission aligning with core values is maybe okay as it's not EEO. Keep it. Thus responsibilities list excludes the EEO line. Now Requirements (Basic Qualifications) list: - A Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline obtained within the last five years. - A minimum of 3 years of experience in modeling and optimizing complex engineering system is required. - Demonstrated understanding of thermal-fluid system architecture, including component-level behavior (e.g., heat exchangers, compressors, refrigerant cycles, control valves) and their integration into system-level performance - Demonstrated experience in control theory and control system design (e.g., model predictive control, feedback control, adaptive control) - Experience applying machine learning/AI to engineering systems - Proficiency in programming and simulation tools such as Python, MATLAB/Simulink, and/or ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) - Experience with physics-based modeling - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently on complex research problems Note: "Electical Engineering" typo but keep as is. Now Qualifications (Preferred Qualifications) list: - Strong background in thermal-fluid sciences, heat transfer, or thermal system dynamics - Prior research experience in thermal systems, controls, or AI/ML applications - Experience developing and deploying reinforcement learning algorithms for real-time control applications - Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing or integrating control algorithms into physical testbeds - Knowledge of predictive maintenance methods and anomaly detection techniques for complex systems - Experience with sensor networks, IoT platforms, or real-time data acquisition and telemetry systems - Familiarity with cloud computing platforms and edge deployment of ML models - Experience with uncertainty quantification, sensitivity analysis, or robust optimization methods - Track record of publications in relevant journals/conferences (e.g., ASME, IEEE, ASHRAE) - Excellent written and oral communication skills. - 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. Now Benefits list: from ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs... list: - 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 - Employee Discounts Also mention "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." Could include those as prose before list. But we can incorporate as part of benefits section: a short paragraph then list. We must not include "competitive pay" specifics as pay not given, but we can mention that ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs. That's okay. Now produce HTML. We'll start with a short p for Requisition ID? Could add:

  Requisition ID: 17135

  before About the role. Or incorporate into About the role paragraph. Probably better as a short p. Thus:

  Requisition ID: 17135

  About the role

  We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate – Modeling, Controls, and AI for Thermal Systems to advance the design, operation, and maintenance of thermal systems through data-driven modeling and optimization. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of thermal-fluid sciences, control theory, and artificial intelligence/machine learning to advance the design and operation of next-generation thermal systems, developing strategies to model, optimize, predict, and autonomously control thermal systems behavior in complex systems. The candidate will contribute to developing and improving the performance of next-generation thermal systems—including HVAC, water heating, and data