Postdoctoral Research Associate - Non-Road Decarbonization Engine Experimentalist

Requisition Id 14074 

Overview: 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will support the Fuel Science and Engine Technologies Research Group in the Buildings and Transportation Science Division, Energy Science and Technology Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  The mission of the Fuel Science and Engine Technologies Research Group is to develop decarbonization technology solutions that enable the use of low-life-cycle carbon fuels with advanced engine technologies with a focus on non-road applications (marine, rail, off-road).  The successful candidate(s) for this position will have the opportunity to work on experimental projects to decarbonize the non-road transportation sector, including combustion development and evaluation, alternative fuel utilization, and emissions characterization.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Conduct engine experiments and analyze results in coordination with the project principal investigator to understand fundamental combustion performance in relevant non-road engines using low-lifecycle-carbon fuels such as biofuels, methanol, and di-methyl either.
• Report research results in peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations, project reviews, and reports
• Conduct team science with the multi-disciplinary ORNL research team through collaborations to conduct detailed characterization of engine exhaust and with the integration of emission control systems
• Collaborate with the larger external research community by sharing experimental data sets for advancing predictive model development, and gaining insight on the required experiments to further these goals
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics
• 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field completed within the last 5 years.
• Knowledge of internal combustion engine fundamentals, turbulent combustion processes, applied fuel kinetics, and/or fuel science 

Preferred Qualifications:

• A record of excellence in experimental internal combustion engine research as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications
• Experience running experiments and analyzing data for internal combustion engines
• Experience using emissions analyzers including FTIRs in a laboratory setting
• Familiarity with LabVIEW software for control and data acquisition
• Familiarity with MatLab software for data analysis and post-processing
• 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

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 submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced 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: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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 ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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.