Postdoctoral Research Associate - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Requisition Id 14340 

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 Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Research & Analysis (MEERA) Group in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD), Energy Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to work in the areas of  renewable energy and the implementation of clean energy technologies on-site, along with their associated supportive technologies (such as solar photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, wind power, renewable fuels, geothermal solutions, battery storage, thermal storage, and industrial heat pumps). The role also involves research and analysis of technologies and practices for increasing the energy efficiency of the industrial sectors. The primary objective is the direct reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the industrial sector.

The MEERA Group actively contributes to the efforts of the Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office (IEDO) in providing technical assistance. The focus of this assistance revolves around identifying and facilitating the deployment of on-site clean energy solutions. These solutions aim to generate energy that is both flexible and dependable, thereby contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions. Furthermore, these efforts align with the overarching goal of promoting corporate sustainability within the industrial sector.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Support technical assistance activities, including research and analysis of technologies and methodologies for onsite renewable energy systems.
• Conduct in-depth market analyses to identify opportunities for onsite energy technologies in the industrial sector.
• Compose technical reports, create presentations, and publish peer-reviewed papers
• Support the development of new resources, training, and tools to support companies participating in the DOE’s Better Plants program

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in a Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field completed within the last 5 years
• Quantitative and analytical research background which can be applied to conduct research analysis on advanced manufacturing technologies and manufacturing systems that could achieve transformative gains in process productivity and enhance manufacturing sustainability
• Strong analytical capabilities with an experience in the area of life cycle energy and cost assessments for conducting manufacturing technology assessments

Preferred Qualifications:

• An educational background in sustainable manufacturing technologies with an emphasis on circular economy research
• Demonstrate an understanding of renewable and clean energy technologies including experience with industry and/or buildings, specifically with the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency management and projects
• excellent quantitative and analytical background acquired through research, which can be applied to conduct research analyses on on-site clean energy technologies
• Proficiency in using Excel, Python, R or similar tools for engineering data analysis is preferrable
• 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
• Willing to travel for key meetings, and attend key conferences and workshops

Please contact Sachin Nimbalkar at nimbalkarsu@ornl.gov or (865) 576-3590 for further details.

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can 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

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

About ORNL:

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.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added 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 or call 1.866.963.9545

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.