Posting Title
Researcher III - Computational Fluid Dynamics

Location
CO - Golden

Position Type
Regular

Hours Per Week
40

Job Description

The Scalable Algorithms, Modeling, and Simulation group in the NLR Computational Science Center has an opening for a researcher to advance computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multi-physics modeling for energy technologies. This position will support and further the capabilities of our advanced simulation tools to address critical challenges in synthetic aviation fuels, hydrogen combustion, and high-fidelity fluid dynamics. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and applying cutting-edge computational methods, contributing to scientific publications, and fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Duties include:

• Developing and applying high-fidelity simulation cases in tools like PeleLMeX for studying combustion in various burner geometries.
• Learning, maintaining, and enhancing the Kynema suite of incompressible solvers, including contributing new capabilities for complex applications like estuary flows, underwater turbines, and power lines.
• Implementing advanced numerical methods such as immersed boundary methods to model intricate geometries and bathymetry in flow simulations.
• Developing and refining property prediction models within computational frameworks such as FuelLib, utilizing experimental data to enhance accuracy and predictive capabilities.
• Maintaining and ensuring the functionality of critical codebases and managing shared repositories for knowledge transfer and collaborative development.
• Collaborating effectively with internal and external partners, including industry and university stakeholders, to advance research objectives and integrate new functionalities.
• Authoring and co-authoring high-impact scientific publications.

Basic Qualifications
Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates complete understanding and wide application of scientific technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• A strong background in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multi-physics modeling, demonstrated through significant project contributions and publications.
• Proven experience with high-fidelity modeling platforms and incompressible solvers, ideally including experience with codes such as AMR-Wind or PeleLMeX.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and code development, with a track record of maintaining and contributing to complex codebases and integrating new features effectively.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for presenting research findings at scientific meetings and authoring peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong analytical skills and creative thinking abilities to solve complex problems in fluid dynamics, combustion, and energy systems.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships internally within NLR and externally with sponsors and research partners.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience maintaining highly active code bases using versioning software (e.g., Git).
• Experience working on high-performance computing (HPC) systems and optimizing codes for various machine architectures.
• Ability to lead and influence across organizational boundaries, facilitating collaborations across multiple disciplines.
• Experience and interest in mentoring and contributing to talent development within the research group.
• Interest in expanding research domains to new areas.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $83,600 - $150,500

NLR takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement
NLR 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 required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.