Postdoctoral Research Staff Member-Simulation and Optimization
Livermore, CA

Job Description

Science and Technology on a Mission!

For more than 60 years, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has applied science and technology to make the world a safer place.

We have multiple openings for a postdoctoral researcher to conduct basic and applied research in the simulation, optimization, and design of physical and engineered systems. You will work independently to extend and develop physics-based simulation and design code in focus areas including electrochemical energy storage and conversion, reacting flow and transport systems, and structural mechanics. These positions are in the Computational Engineering Division (CED) of the Engineering Directorate.

Essential Duties

* Conduct research in and development of one or more of the following areas: continuum (e.g., finite element/finite volume) simulation of electrochemical systems, continuum simulation of viscous fluid flow with reactive mass transfer, topology optimization of flowing systems.
* Develop forward model, continuum simulations to solve the governing partial differential equations of physical systems including viscous fluid flow, reactive mass transfer, conjugate heat transfer, and electrochemical systems.
* Develop and implement High Performance Computing (HPC) algorithms and simulations for the optimal design of engineering systems governed by nonlinear, transient, multiscale, and multiple physical phenomena.
* Work with engineers and scientists to identify and solve challenging design optimization problems, determine the most open design spaces and manufacturing constraints, and to construct optimized designs for validation and testing.
* Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internal and external to the Laboratory.
* Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
* Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences seminars and/or technical meetings.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

* Recent Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, computational science, or a related field.
* Experience developing or extensively modifying simulations using continuum approaches (especially using finite elements) for a broad range of physical systems, including at least two of the following: viscous fluid flow, electrochemical phenomena, conjugate heat transfer, and structural mechanics.
* Experience programming in C/C++ and scripting languages like Python/Matlab.
* Experience developing or extensively modifying computational physics codes.
* Experience using high performance/parallel computing tools and codes.
* Proficient verbal and written communication skills needed to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information, document work, prepare and present successful proposals and high-quality research papers, and provide advice to management.

Desired Qualifications

* Experience with explicit design sensitivity analysis via direct (forward) and adjoint (backward) methods applied to shape/topology optimization techniques and algorithms.
* Experience with massively-parallel computing and one or more associated parallel programming interfaces, such as MPI, OpenMP, or CUDA and open source support libraries such as PETSc or Parasol.
* Experience with finite elements and adaptive mesh refinement.

Pre-Employment Drug Test: External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Security Clearance: This position requires either no security clearance, or a Department of Energy (DOE) L-level or Q-level clearance depending on the location of the assignment.

If you are selected and a security clearance is required, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. L and Q-level clearances require U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted.

Note: This is a one year Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years. Eligible candidates are recent PhDs within five years of the month of the degree award at time of hire date.

About Us

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), located in the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay), is a premier applied science laboratory that is part of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) within the Department of Energy (DOE). LLNL's mission is strengthening national security by developing and applying cutting-edge science, technology, and engineering that respond with vision, quality, integrity, and technical excellence to scientific issues of national importance. The Laboratory has a current annual budget of about $1.8 billion, employing approximately 6,500 employees.

LLNL is an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.