Postdoctoral Appointee – Integrated Solar & Thermal Systems, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

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We are seeking a dedicated Postdoctoral Appointee to support thermal energy storage (TES), concentrated solar thermal (CST), and heat conversion projects focused on techno-economic analysis (TEA) and performance optimization of advanced solar-thermal collector systems integrated with TES, and on advanced power-cycle design and integration. The successful candidate will apply strong mechanical engineering fundamentals (thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and solid mechanics) along with system-level modeling and analysis to optimize end-to-end solar-thermal-to-heat and solar-thermal-to-power architectures.

This role will emphasize (1) techno-economic analysis and design-space optimization of solar collector + TES concepts across geographies, scales, and markets; (2) sCO2 Brayton cycle design, modeling, and testing integration using Sandia tools and experimental data; and (3) integrated heat and power applications, including combined cycles and supercritical water reactor (SCWR) integration and industrial process heat use cases. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to develop, evaluate, and down-select designs that improve performance, cost, and deployability, supporting both renewable energy and broader Sandia mission needs.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Independently conduct and deliver your own R&D activities or projects under leadership of senior staff. These activities and projects may be theoretical, computational and/or experimental. These activities will often require working in teams that can include partners from other institutions.
• Work with Sandia’s technology transfer and licensing professionals to move successful R&D from the Labs to industry.
• Assist or lead in the development of proposals to seek funding from sponsors and customers for new or ongoing R&D projects in CST and TES.
• Disseminate R&D outcomes and the department’s capabilities in various forms including journal article publications and by presenting papers at national and international conferences.
• Potentially represent Sandia and the department in national or international committees relating to conferences, standards and publications.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position is located in Albuquerque, NM, and the annual salary for this position is $98,500.

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant field
• Demonstrated experience in the fundamentals of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and/or solid mechanics.
• Prior academic or professional experience in python coding.
• Proven record of technical accomplishment and strong written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals and/or presentation(s) at scientific conferences.

• Demonstrated ability to code in python, integrate models, and/or perform techno-economic analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to generate CFD and/or FEA models to analyze thermal and/or mechanical components.
• Strong communication skills, including experience presenting technical results to varied audiences and contributing effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with TEA and cost/performance modeling (e.g., LCOE/LCOH), including sensitivity/uncertainty analysis and scenario evaluation across locations, scales, and market conditions.
• Experience with power cycle analysis and system modeling for thermal-to-electric conversion (e.g., sCO2 Brayton, steam Rankine, supercritical water, recuperated cycles), including cycle configuration development and state-point design.
• Proficiency in computational/data analysis tools for modeling and optimization; familiarity with numerical optimization and/or AI-assisted design-space exploration methods is a plus.
• Familiarity with thermal energy storage concepts and trade studies, including TES media (molten salts, solids, supercritical fluids), heat transfer fluids, heat exchanger integration, and charge/discharge performance.
• Experience integrating experimental data into models (e.g., mapping test data to model boundary conditions, validation, and performance prediction).
• Familiarity with industrial process heat applications and requirements (temperature/pressure/heat duty), including approaches for load-matching process heat needs to thermal supply systems.
• Knowledge of lifecycle assessment (LCA) methods and carbon accounting; experience quantifying emissions reductions and environmental impacts is a plus.
• Exposure to supply chain, manufacturability, and domestic sourcing assessments (e.g., supplier mapping, critical component constraints, reshoring considerations).
• Understanding of solar thermal systems and radiation heat transfer fundamentals (heliostat/receiver/collector performance concepts).

The Integrated Solar & Thermal Energy Systems department uses world-class modeling and experimental capabilities to develop, validate, and demonstrate thermal energy generation, storage, and utilization. In collaboration with industry partners, we optimize the performance and efficiency of thermal energy technologies and processes as part of hybrid energy systems. Sandia conducts pioneering research in materials and reactions at high temperatures, component design and testing, integrated system controls, molten salt and particle-based concentrating solar thermal energy, direct heat for energy-intensive industrial applications (e.g., chemicals production, cement, food processing), and modeling of hybrid energy systems.

This posting will be open for Application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia’s discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.