Computational Scientist, Large Scale Simulation

at  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

OVERVIEW:

The Scalable Engineering Applications (SEA) Group in the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division is seeking a computational scientist with expertise in high performance computing and numerical methods to develop high-fidelity computational tools that are used for large-scale, physics-based simulations of a variety of science applications in the national interest. Our group mission is to use state-of-the-art computational science to deliver scalable modeling and simulation tools for engineering applications. We develop and apply new scalable algorithms for advanced computing architectures and leverage the latest advancements in numerical methods and performance portability for high performance computing. This includes designing and creating novel software packages at the confluence of modern engineering and computational science which are then deployed as production capabilities to a network of subject matter expert collaborators throughout ORNL and DOE.
SEA works with a variety of subject matter experts in groups across the lab to develop high-quality, large-scale, multiphysics simulation codes for science applications that are required to run at scales ranging from small simulations that can be done on a laptop computer, to very large simulations that require leadership-level, hybrid architecture computational resources such as the Frontier supercomputer. Our team is comprised of computational scientists across a diverse spectrum of technical backgrounds, ranging from applied mathematics to nuclear engineering. Leveraging the latest advancements in computational methods we create high-quality, high-performance code that meets our customer’s needs and we ensure code quality by integrating modern software development techniques into all products we develop, from repository management, to unit and regression testing, to continuous integration and deployment.
As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in computer science; computational science; mechanical engineering; aerospace engineering; nuclear engineering; chemical engineering; engineering physics; applied math; physics; or related disciplines.
• Candidates must have demonstrated ability working with high performance computing systems, experience in scientific software development, and a demonstrated ability in designing and assessing computational algorithms and numerical methods for large-scale simulations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with parallel computing techniques including HPC in a Linux environment
• Familiarity with C++ and GPU programming
• Experience with distributed computing using the Message Passing Interface (MPI)
• Experience with modern software development practices to ensure code quality
• Experience with numerical methods for sparse linear solvers, nonlinear solvers, and/or time integration
• Experience with finite element methods and/or mesh generation algorithms for unstructured meshes
• Experience with applications in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), Electromagnetics, and/or Plasma Physics
• Experience in applying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) and/or Automatic Differentiation (AD) to scientific problems
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work with a measure of autonomy and a willingness to participate creatively in a collaborative team environment

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements and to sensitive projects. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse program (WSAP) testing designed position which requires passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program in which employees are subject to being randomly selected for testing. The occupant of this position will also be subject to an ongoing requirement to report to ORNL any drug-related arrest or conviction or receipt of a positive drug test result.

• Participate in new and ongoing research in computational science applied to engineering systems including, but not limited to: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), Electromagnetics, and Plasma Physics
• Create new advancements in the scientific application of Finite Element Methods (FEM), linear and nonlinear solvers, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Automatic Differentiation (AD), unstructured mesh generation, and software development methods for performance portability on heterogenous systems.
• Formulate novel solutions to problems of national interest and plan and execute the research and development necessary for the practical implementation of those solutions.
• Lead and take part in multiple R&D projects.
• Interpret, report, and present research concepts and results to national audiences at all levels.
• Work independently and in teams to develop requirements and proposals, conduct research, and produce working prototypes for demonstration.
• Write peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and proposals for internal and external release and must represent the organization by giving technical presentations in large public forums.
• Lead and maintain a strong publication record.