R&D Assistant - Natural Gas Infrastructure Resilience

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

22d

About The Position

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Building Envelope Materials Research Group is seeking an R&D Assistant to study the resilience of U.S. natural gas infrastructure during extreme cold-weather events. The role investigates causes and consequences of weather-related natural gas supply disruptions, develops analytical approaches to evaluate system vulnerabilities, and assesses technologies and operational strategies to improve infrastructure resilience. The assistant will analyze historical disruption data and natural gas infrastructure performance, evaluate cold-weather protection technologies and system interdependencies, and investigate physical mechanisms such as freezing, condensation, hydrate formation, and low-temperature equipment performance. The role involves collaboration with ORNL researchers, utility stakeholders, universities, national laboratories, and private industry; communicating findings through publications and presentations; and assisting with proposal development. The appointment is 12 months, with potential extension subject to performance and funding availability. Applicants must complete all degree requirements before the appointment begins. Employment requires the applicable favorable background or site-specific risk determination and credentialing described in the posting.

Requirements

MS in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, energy systems engineering, or a closely related discipline.
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.
Complete all degree requirements before starting the appointment.
Provide two letters of reference when applying.
Meet applicable ORNL identification, access, background investigation, and credentialing requirements described in the posting.

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 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 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 composed of 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.
Maintain a strong commitment to implementing and continuing ORNL’s values and ethics.
Align behaviors, priorities, and interactions with ORNL’s core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.