Postdoctoral Research Associate in Densified Fluid Design, Rheology, and Reactive Flow for Supe

What You Will Do

The Fractured Earth Laboratory and Microfluidics Lab in the Analytical Earth Science (EES-15) group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to design, formulate, and experimentally validate densified working fluids for superhot geothermal systems. The research will support gravity-assisted geothermal concepts and related subsurface-energy applications by developing high-density fluids that remain stable, pumpable, and compatible with rocks and engineered materials under extreme temperature and pressure.

The position is supported by sponsored research programs focused on advanced geothermal energy and will play a central role in establishing fluid-design and qualification workflows.

The primary assignment is hands-on formulation, screening, and optimization of fluid-only and fluid-solid hybrid systems intended for temperatures of 375 C or higher and pressures of 22 MPa or higher. Candidate systems may include concentrated mixed-salt brines, particle-laden or colloidal fluids, CO2-assisted formulations, and other aqueous or non-aqueous concepts. The candidate will measure density, rheology, phase behavior, pumpability, dispersion quality, sedimentation, thermal stability, reproducibility, and materials compatibility and will identify formulations suitable for practical preparation, circulation, and scale-up.

The experimental program will also evaluate heat capacity, fluid-rock reactivity, mineral dissolution and precipitation, secondary-phase formation, scaling and corrosion potential, and flow through fractures under closure stress and thermal cycling. LANL capabilities supporting this work include high-pressure rheometry, Parr reactors, Dickson-style autoclaves, cold-seal and dynamic flow-through reactors, high-temperature/high-pressure Raman spectroscopy, ICP-MS/OES, XRD, SEM, wet-chemistry and mineralogy laboratories, core-flooding systems, and rock-mechanics facilities.

The candidate will coordinate with geochemistry, geomechanics, thermodynamic modeling, AI/ML-guided screening, reservoir simulation, and field validation teams; document reproducible methods; publish in peer-reviewed journals; and present results at technical conferences.

The position is for a two-year term, with the option to extend for a third year based on performance and funding availability. U.S. and non-U.S. citizens are encouraged to apply, subject to the eligibility restrictions stated below.

• Ph.D. in chemistry, geochemistry, materials science, applied physics, or chemical, petroleum, geothermal, mechanical, or a related engineering field, with education or research experience in fluid thermodynamics, rheology, transport phenomena, hydrothermal chemistry, or reactive processes.
• Hands-on experimental experience formulating or characterizing complex fluids, such as concentrated brines, slurries, colloids, particle dispersions, emulsions, drilling or completion fluids, or other multiphase or reactive fluid systems.
• Experience with experimental instrumentation, laboratory equipment, data acquisition, and