R&D Assistant - Natural Gas Infrastructure Resilience

Requisition ID: 17288. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory. The Building Envelope Materials Research (BEMR) Group seeks an R&D Assistant to study the resilience of U.S. natural gas infrastructure during extreme cold-weather events.

About the role

The successful candidate will investigate the causes and consequences of weather-related natural gas supply disruptions, develop analytical approaches to evaluate system vulnerabilities, and assess technologies and operational strategies that can improve infrastructure resilience. This is a 12-month appointment with potential for extension, subject to performance and funding availability.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze data from past weather-related natural gas supply disruptions and study their impacts.
• Develop and apply 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

• MS in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, energy systems engineering, or a closely related discipline (all degree requirements must be completed before starting the appointment).
• 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 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

For employment at ORNL, a Real ID compliant form of identification is required. All employees must obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card per HSPD-12 and DOE Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation (Federal Tier 1 background check). This includes a declaration of illegal drug activities within the last year, including marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which remain illegal under federal law regardless of state laws.

Foreign national candidates who have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years are not eligible for the PIV credential and must obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination. Once the three-year residency requirement is met, a PIV credential is required to maintain employment.

Applicants must submit two letters of reference when applying (upload directly to the application or send to ORNLRecruiting@ORNL.GOV with the position title and number in the subject line).

Benefits

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