Postdoctoral Research Associate- Thermal Energy Storage Group

Requisition Id 13441

Overview:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation's biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL's broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

The Thermal Energy Storage Group in the Buildings and Transportation Science Division (BTSD), Energy Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking qualified candidates to fill the Postdoctoral Research Associate position. The work in this group supports the U.S. DOE Building Technology Office, Geothermal Technology Office, and other customers by developing state-of-the-art building equipment for energy efficiency, equipment-to-grid integration, and improved life cycle climate performance.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Responsible for conducting, coordinating, and reporting complex research assignments related to energy conversion systems including:
• Working fluids and thermodynamic cycles for advanced vapor compression refrigeration systems, including:
  • Integrated heat pump systems with multiple sources and multiple functions for improved energy efficiency and grid-interactivity
  • Geothermal (ground source) heat pump
• Thermal energy storage materials and applications
• Advanced heat exchanger design and optimization
• Novel non-vapor compression heat pump and dehumidification systems
• HVAC&R system design and performance evaluation
• Involved in developing experimental setups, conducting experimental campaigns, performing thermodynamic analyses and system modeling, analyzing results, preparing technical documents and peer-reviewed research publications, and presenting and defending work to project sponsors and other stakeholders. The work will involve interacting and collaborating with researchers from universities, national laboratories, and private industry.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

BasicQualifications:

• A PhD in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field completed within the last 5 years.
• The candidate should excel in innovative thinking and problem solving, and possess (a) strong background and experience in thermodynamic cycle modeling, (b) detailed experience with the design, instrumentation, and operation of experimental thermal/fluid systems, (c) good knowledge of fluid dynamics and heat and mass transfer, (d) familiarity with vapor compression refrigeration systems and sorption-based dehumidification, cooling, and heat pumping systems, and (e) knowledge of various mechanical systems and instrumentation.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills are required.
• The successful candidate should have a proven publication/patent record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with both experimental prototype development and a variety of engineering modeling software is a plus.
• Experience in developing new ideas and proposal writing is a plus. Experience with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system design is preferred.

For more information, please contact Dr. Xiaobing Liu ( ).

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. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Please provide a list of publications when applying for this position. Three letters of reference are required and can be uploaded to your profile or emailed directly to Please include the title of the position in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

Benefits at ORNL:

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: 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, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: or call 1..

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

Nearest Major Market: Knoxville