Postdoctoral Research Associate - Natural Gas Infrastructure Resilience

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest US Department of Energy (DOE) science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Within ORNL, the Building Envelope Materials Research (BEMR) Group conducts research on materials, thermal management, infrastructure resilience, and technologies that improve the reliability and performance of energy systems to meet DOE’s energy affordability and resiliency goals.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on the resilience of U.S. natural gas infrastructure during extreme cold-weather events. The successful candidate will investigate the causes and consequences of weather-related natural gas supply disruptions, develop modeling and analytical approaches to evaluate system vulnerabilities, and assess technologies and operational strategies that can improve infrastructure resilience.

• 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 that are 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, and 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 the implementation and continuation of ORNL’s values and ethics.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

• PhD in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, energy systems engineering, or a closely related discipline completed within the last 5 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 develop and/or maintain strong relationships through active participation in professional societies.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.
• Demonstrated record of publishing or presenting high-quality research.
• Self-motivated.

• Familiarity with U.S. natural gas production, processing,…