Postdoctoral Research Associate - Natural Gas Infrastructure Resilience

Oak Ridge National Laboratory • Oak Ridge, TN

19d

About The Position

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Building Envelope Materials Research Group to study the resilience of U.S. natural gas infrastructure during extreme cold-weather events. The researcher will investigate causes and consequences of weather-related supply disruptions, develop modeling and analytical approaches to evaluate system vulnerabilities, and assess technologies and operational strategies that can improve infrastructure resilience.

The position involves collaborating with ORNL researchers, utility stakeholders, universities, national laboratories, and private industry. The associate will publish and present research findings, assist with proposal development, and ensure compliance with environmental, safety, health, and program requirements. The appointment is for 12 months, with potential extension subject to performance and funding availability. Applicants must have completed their Ph.D. within five years before applying and must complete all degree requirements before starting.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, energy systems engineering, or a closely related discipline, completed within the last five 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 changing needs.
• Demonstrated record of publishing or presenting high-quality research.
• Self-motivated.
• Must complete all degree requirements before starting the appointment.
• Must provide two letters of reference when applying.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the required federal PIV credential or, for eligible foreign national candidates who have not met the U.S. residency requirement, obtain a favorable LSSO risk determination.
• Must successfully pass the required federal background investigation.

Nice To Haves

• 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 or 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.

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 of ORNL researchers and utility stakeholders.
• Interact and collaborate with researchers from universities, national laboratories, and private industry.
• Present findings in peer-reviewed journals and communicate results to ORNL staff, DOE, industry, academia, and the broader research community.
• Assist in developing and preparing proposals.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, health, and program requirements.
• Maintain a strong commitment to ORNL’s values and ethics.

Benefits

• Medical plans
• Retirement plans
• Flexible work hours
• On-site fitness facilities
• On-site banking facilities
• On-site 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree