Postdoctoral Research Associate - Numerical Methods for Kinetic Equations

at  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

OVERVIEW:

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. The Multiscale Methods and Dynamics (MMD) Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking several qualified applicants for postdoctoral positions related to numerical methods for kinetic equations. Mathematical topics of interest include high-dimensional approximation, closure models, hybrid methods, structure preserving methods, and iterative solvers. Successful applications will work in applications related to gas dynamics, plasma physics, and radiation transport. The position comes with a travel allowance and access to advanced computing resources.
The MMD group is responsible for the design and development of basic numerical algorithms and analysis necessary for simulating and understanding complex, multi-scale systems. The group is part of the Mathematics in Computation (MiC) Section of the Computer Science and Mathematics (CSM) Division. CSM delivers fundamental and applied research capabilities in a wide range of areas, including applied mathematics and computer science, experimental computing systems, scalable algorithms and systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data management, workflow systems, analysis and visualization technologies, programming systems and environments, and system science and engineering.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

The position requires:

• A PhD in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Computational Science, or a related field completed within the last 5 years
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Basic programming experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

One or more of the following are desired:

• Formal training in numerical analysis, linear algebra, and/or iterative solvers
• Expertise in multiscale problems and model reduction
• Experience developing methods for differential and integral equations
• Experience in the design and implementation of scalable numerical algorithms on HPC architectures
• Experience developing mathematical tools for engineering or science applications

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 for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

The position requires collaboration within a multi-disciplinary research environment consisting of mathematicians, computational and computer scientists, and domain scientists conducting basic and applied research in support of the Laboratory’s mission.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Participation in the development and analysis of new computational methodologies for scientific problems, often customized to complex and large-scale scientific applications
• Delivery and support of mathematical technologies for various scientific disciplines and applications
• Dissemination of research through peer-reviewed papers and technical reports, as well as seminar and conference presentations
• Active participation in professional organizations
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.