Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Role

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on the resilience of U.S. natural gas infrastructure during extreme cold-weather events. The role involves investigating weather-related natural gas supply disruptions, developing modeling and analytical approaches to evaluate system vulnerabilities, and assessing technologies and operational strategies for infrastructure resilience.

Key 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 with 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• 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.
• The appointment length will be 12 months with the potential for extension, subject to performance and funding.
• A Real ID compliant form of identification will be required for employment at ORNL.
• All employees must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card, requiring a favorable post-employment background investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are considered illegal under federal law.
• Foreign national candidates who have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years are not eligible for the PIV credential and will need a Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination. Upon meeting the three-year residency requirement, a PIV credential will be required.
• Submit two letters of reference.