Job Description

Requisition Id 16093 

Overview:  

Oak Ridge National Lab is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance quantitative, high ‑ throughput neutron imaging for next ‑ generation energy ‑ storage materials. In this role, you will develop and apply methods that integrate physics ‑ guided image correction with intelligent (AI/ML ‑ enabled) data ‑ acquisition strategies. Key objectives include (1) implementing and validating scattering ‑ correction and calibration workflows that yield quantitative attenuation coefficients, and (2) designing adaptive tomography approaches that reduce acquisition time while maintaining or improving image quality. These advances will directly support operando studies of solid ‑ state batteries and porous electrodes and accelerate the development of predictive transport and performance models.  

This position resides in the Materials Engineering Group in the Large-Scale Structures Section, Neutron Scattering Division,   Neutron Sciences Directorate at  Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). As a postdoctoral fellow, you will produce publishable results at a steady pace and work at the interface of neutron imaging, computational modeling, and workflow automation. Applicants with strengths in any of these areas — quantitative imaging, modeling/transport science, machine learning, or scientific programming — are encouraged to apply.  

Major Duties/Responsibilities:  

• Lead energy ‑ storage imaging experiments at the MARS beamline (HFIR CG ‑1D), including experiment planning, operando support, data reduction, and delivery of quantitative reconstructed datasets  

• Develop and implement scattering ‑ correction, calibration, and adaptive data ‑ acquisition methods to improve measurement efficiency and throughput  

• Apply physics ‑ based or computational transport modeling to interpret internal material gradients and dynamic processes  

• Publish research results in peer ‑ reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences  

• 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:  

• PhD in chemistry, physics, computer science, materials science, or a related field with no more than five years of postdoctoral experience  

  Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience in energy ‑ storage research (batteries, electrochemistry, or related fields) 

• Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python, C/C++, MATLAB, R, Julia) 

• Experience with quantitative image analysis or tomographic reconstruction  

• Background in transport modeling (continuum methods, CFD, or data ‑ driven surrogates) 

• Interest in or experience with machine learning/AI applied to scientific data  

• Demonstrated research productivity and ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment  

Special Requirements:  

• 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.   

Please submit two letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to  recruiting@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  

Benefits at ORNL:   

We offer competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain hardworking people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for 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, and Employee Discounts. Relocation Assistance is available for certain positions.  

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.

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