Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Requisition Id 16522 

­­Overview:  

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct advanced materials research focused on the development of cast, additively manufactured, and wrought aluminum alloys. The position will allow significant interactions with researchers of varying backgrounds and other opportunities for professional development. This position lives in the Alloy Behavior and Design Group in the Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  

This position lives in the Alloy Behavior and Design Group in the Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The selected candidate will work with multiple other groups within MSTD on the physical metallurgy of aluminum alloys for various applications including automotive, aerospace, and thermal management. Projects will include application of physical metallurgy principles to contribute to development of alloys with desirable advances in mechanical properties, thermal/electrical properties, and processability. A background in solidification processing, high pressure die casting, additive manufacturing, solid-state processing (rolling, extrusion, wiredrawing etc.), mechanical properties (creep, fatigue, tensile properties), microstructural analysis, thermal/electrical properties will be desirable. The position will involve significant interaction with a large team within Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as external industry partners.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Understand the processing-microstructure-property relationships in aluminum alloy systems.
• Perform the necessary chemistry and processing modifications to meet target alloy properties.
• Apply advanced characterization and modeling techniques and make fundamental contributions to the field.
• Interact with other researchers, technicians, and students to shape and drive the research agenda.
• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals on time.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
• Develop strong, productive working relationships across partnering research groups within ORNL.

• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in materials science and engineering or a related discipline completed within the last five years.
• A strong background in physical metallurgy

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in physical metallurgy of aluminum alloys.
• Background in solidification processing, high pressure die casting, additive manufacturing of alloys.
• Background in solid-state materials processing.
• Background in mechanical properties of alloys.
• Background in electrical/thermal properties of alloys.
• An excellent record of productive and creative research as proven by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.  Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.  Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Postdocs:

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Letters of Recommendation:

Please submit three letters of reference when applying for this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.