Postdoctoral Research Associate - Natural Gas Infrastructure Resilience

Requisition ID: 17310

About the role

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Within ORNL, the Building Envelope Materials Research (BEMR) Group conducts research on materials, thermal management, infrastructure resilience, and technologies that improve the reliability and performance of energy systems to meet DOE's energy affordability and resiliency goals. This Postdoctoral Research Associate position focuses on the resilience of U.S. natural gas infrastructure during extreme cold-weather events. The successful candidate will investigate causes and consequences of weather-related natural gas supply disruptions, develop modeling and analytical approaches to evaluate system vulnerabilities, and assess technologies and operational strategies that can improve infrastructure resilience.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze data from past weather-related natural gas supply disruptions and study their impacts
• Develop and apply modeling, simulation, and data-analysis methods to assess natural gas infrastructure performance, vulnerabilities, and cascading impacts during extreme cold-weather events
• Design and evaluate cold-weather mitigation and protection technologies, thermal protection strategies, moisture-control strategies, and protective materials for critical natural gas infrastructure components
• Evaluate interdependencies between natural gas and electric power systems and assess how disruptions can propagate across interconnected energy infrastructure
• Investigate physical mechanisms contributing to cold-weather disruptions, including freezing, moisture and condensation, hydrate formation, thermal effects, and equipment performance under low-temperature conditions
• Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams composed of ORNL researchers and utility stakeholders
• Interact and collaborate with researchers from universities, national laboratories, and private industry
• Present research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results to ORNL staff, DOE, industry, academia, and the broader research community
• Assist in the development and preparation of proposals
• Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, health, and program requirements
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and continuation of ORNL's values and ethics
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service

Requirements

• PhD in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, energy systems engineering, or a closely related discipline completed within the last 5 years
• Strong background in energy infrastructure resilience, energy systems, thermal-fluid systems, or a related area
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills to support team building
• Ability to develop and/or maintain relationships through active participation in professional societies
• Ability to work and demonstrate critical thinking individually and as part of a diverse team
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing needs
• Demonstrated record of publishing or presenting high-quality research
• Self-motivated

Preferred qualifications

• Familiarity with U.S. natural gas production, processing, transmission, storage, or distribution infrastructure
• Knowledge of natural gas system operations and gas-electric system interdependencies
• Experience with modeling, simulation, statistical analysis, or analysis of large operational/weather datasets
• Knowledge of thermal insulation, condensation, moisture transport, and corrosion under insulation
• Familiarity with flow assurance, freezing, hydrate formation, or other low-temperature phenomena affecting natural gas systems
• Experience working with utilities, government agencies, national laboratories, or industry partners
• Experience communicating technical research through peer-reviewed publications and presentations

Special requirements

• Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment
• Appointment length is 12 months with potential for extension; initial appointments and extensions subject to performance and availability of funding
• Real ID compliant form of identification required for employment at ORNL
• All employees must obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card per HSPD-12 and DOE Order 473.1A, requiring a favorable post-employment background investigation (Federal Tier 1)
• Background investigation includes declaration of illegal drug activities (including marijuana/cannabis derivatives) within the last year
• Foreign national candidates who have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years are not eligible for PIV credential and must obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination; PIV credential required once three-year residency requirement is met
• Two letters of reference required (upload to application or send to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with position title and number in subject line)

Benefits

• 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
• On-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities
• Flexible work hours