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Postdoctoral Cfd Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Cfd information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$25.8K

$60.8K

$86K

How much do postdoctoral cfd jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral cfd in Chicago, IL is $60,801.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,500.00 and $68,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a postdoctoral CFD?

A Postdoctoral CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) position is a research-focused role for individuals who have recently completed their Ph.D., usually in engineering, physics, or a related field. In this position, postdocs use advanced computational methods to simulate and analyze fluid flows for academic or industrial research projects. They often work on developing new algorithms, improving simulation accuracy, and publishing their findings in scientific journals. This role provides valuable experience for those seeking careers in academia, research institutions, or industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a postdoctoral CFD researcher?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral CFD researcher, you need advanced knowledge in fluid dynamics, numerical methods, and a PhD in engineering, physics, or a related discipline. Proficiency with CFD software (such as ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or COMSOL), programming languages (like Python, C++, or MATLAB), and high-performance computing environments is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and effective collaboration and communication skills help set you apart. These capabilities are essential for conducting innovative research, publishing impactful results, and contributing to multidisciplinary teams in both academic and industry settings.

What are common challenges faced by postdoctoral CFD researchers, and how can they be addressed?

Postdoctoral researchers in CFD often encounter challenges such as managing large, complex simulations, ensuring the accuracy of numerical models, and keeping up with evolving computational tools. Collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary teams—such as experimentalists or engineers—can also be demanding but is essential for validating models and applying findings. To address these challenges, it's helpful to develop strong programming skills, actively participate in research group meetings, and seek mentorship from senior researchers. Staying updated with the latest software and attending relevant conferences also fosters both technical growth and professional networking.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Cfd vs Postdoctoral Mechanical Engineer?

AspectPostdoctoral CfdPostdoctoral Mechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, or related fieldsPhD in Mechanical Engineering or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, industry R&DResearch labs, industry R&D, manufacturing companies
Industry UsagePrimarily academia and research institutionsIndustry-focused, product development, manufacturing
Common Search IntentResearch, simulation, CFD analysisDesign, testing, simulation in mechanical systems

Postdoctoral Cfd roles focus on computational fluid dynamics research, often within academia or research institutions, emphasizing CFD simulations and analysis. Postdoctoral Mechanical Engineers may work on broader mechanical systems, including design and testing, with a similar educational background. Both roles require a PhD and involve research, but their work environments and industry applications differ slightly.

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Postdoctoral Cfd jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Postdoctoral Cfd job openings:

Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Cfd job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,801 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

Postdoctoral Appointee-Developing an Exascale MuPhFASa (Multi Phase Flow Adaptive Simulator)

Lemont, IL • On-site

Argonne National Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 1 - 5K employees

$72K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility's (ALCF) mission is to accelerate major scientific discoveries and engineering breakthroughs for humanity by designing and providing world-leading computing facilities in partnership with the computational science community. We help researchers solve some of the world's largest and most complex problems with our unique combination of supercomputing resources and computational science expertise.
The Computational Science (CPS) Division focuses on solving the most challenging scientific problems through advanced modeling and simulation on the most capable computers. The division aims to build lab-wide cross-cutting simulation application capabilities integrating with mathematics, computer science, domain science, and advanced computing architectures and facilities. Additionally, the CPS provides an interdisciplinary home for spawning simulation programs and projects, often in collaboration with the ALCF.
The ALCF and CPS division are seeking a postdoctoral appointee to develop computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools that make exascale computing accessible to a broader set of users. The successful candidate will develop a massively parallel solver, capable of running simulations on the Aurora supercomputer, using AMReX (https://amrex-codes.github.io/amrex/) and the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The candidate will develop flow/geometry-aware refinement strategies that go beyond traditional error estimators, creating physics-based adaptation algorithms that intelligently predict where refinement will be most beneficial for smarter, more efficient simulations. We seek someone with a strong CFD background and LBM expertise who can develop methodologies broad enough to tackle a diverse set of problems, appealing to a wide range of computational science users. Example problems are: bubbly flow, emulsions, sedimentation, wetting, gas-mixing, red-blood cell flow in the human vasculature. We are seeking a candidate who is intellectually curious and enthusiastic about computational research. They are intrinsically driven, goal-oriented, and can work collaboratively with others.
Working closely with the CPS divison, the postdoc will leverage AMReX and the LBM to develop an integrated framework to explore advanced workloads including simulations with in-situ visualization and, possibly, machine learning integration. This work will inform future ALCF platform procurement decisions.
Position Requirements
Required Skills:
  • Recent or soon-to-be-completed Ph.D. (typically completed in the last 5 years) in mechanical/aerospace/chemical engineering, applied mathematics or a related discipline.
  • Experience in numerical methods and CFD development using mesh-based scientific codes.
  • Expertise in the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) as evidenced by their publications
  • High performance computing (HPC) experience in code development with parallel programming techniques using the message passing interface (MPI) library
  • Proficiency in writing code with C, C++ and/or Python
  • Ability to demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to model Argonne's Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Desired Skills:
  • Experience with two-phase/multi-phase flows as evidenced by their publications
  • Experience programming GPUs with CUDA, SYCL, HIP or OpenMP
  • Experience using and developing code with AMReX
  • Experience in performance engineering to improve code scalability and reduce time-to-solution

Job Family
Postdoctoral
Job Profile
Postdoctoral Appointee
Worker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)
Time Type
Full time
The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!
As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.