Postdoctoral Research Associate in Densified Fluid Design, Rheology, and Reactive Flow for Superhot Geothermal Systems

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory. LANL capabilities supporting this work include high-pressure rheometry, Parr reactors, Dickson-style autoclaves, cold-seal and dynamic flow-through reactors, high-temperature/high-pressure Raman spectroscopy, ICP-MS/OES, XRD, SEM, wet-chemistry and mineralogy laboratories, core-flooding systems, and rock-mechanics facilities.

What You Will Do

The Fractured Earth Laboratory and Microfluidics Lab in the Analytical Earth Science (EES-15) group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to design, formulate, and experimentally validate densified working fluids for superhot geothermal systems. The research will support gravity-assisted geothermal concepts and related subsurface-energy applications by developing high-density fluids that remain stable, pumpable, and compatible with rocks and engineered materials under extreme temperature and pressure. The position is supported by sponsored research programs focused on advanced geothermal energy and will play a central role in establishing fluid-design and qualification workflows.

The primary assignment is hands-on formulation, screening, and optimization of fluid-only and fluid-solid hybrid systems intended for temperatures of 375 degrees C or higher and pressures of 22 MPa or higher. Candidate systems may include concentrated mixed-salt brines, particle-laden or colloidal fluids, CO2-assisted formulations, and other aqueous or nonaqueous concepts. The candidate will measure density, rheology, phase behavior, pumpability, dispersion quality, sedimentation, thermal stability, reproducibility, and materials compatibility and will identify formulations suitable for practical preparation, circulation, and scale-up.

The experimental program will also evaluate heat capacity, fluid-rock reactivity, mineral dissolution and precipitation, secondary-phase formation, scaling and corrosion potential, and flow through fractures under closure stress and thermal cycling. LANL capabilities supporting this work include high-pressure rheometry, Parr reactors, Dickson-style autoclaves, cold-seal and dynamic flow-through reactors, high-temperature/high-pressure Raman spectroscopy, ICP-MS/OES, XRD, SEM, wet-chemistry and mineralogy laboratories, core-flooding systems, and rock-mechanics facilities. The candidate will coordinate with geochemistry, geomechanics, thermodynamic modeling, AI/ML-guided screening, reservoir simulation, and field validation teams; document reproducible methods; publish in peer-reviewed journals; and present results at technical conferences. The position is for a two-year term, with the option to extend for a third year based on performance and funding availability. U.S. and non-U.S. citizens are encouraged to apply, subject to the eligibility restrictions stated below.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, geochemistry, materials science, applied physics, or chemical, petroleum, geothermal, mechanical, or a related engineering field, with education or research experience in fluid thermodynamics, rheology, transport phenomena, hydrothermal chemistry, or reactive processes.
• Hands-on experimental experience formulating or characterizing complex fluids, such as concentrated brines, slurries, colloids, particle dispersions, emulsions, drilling or completion fluids, or other multiphase or reactive fluid systems.
• Experience with experimental instrumentation, laboratory equipment, data acquisition, and quantitative analysis; experience with pressurized or high-temperature systems is beneficial.
• A record of peer-reviewed publication, including at least one lead-author article, and demonstrated written, oral, and collaborative communication skills.

Education/Experience: Candidates must have received a Ph.D. within the last five years in a STEM field, or will have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience developing high-density brines, fracturing fluids, geothermal working fluids, drilling or completion fluids, heat-transfer fluids, or related high-salinity formulations.
• Experience measuring rheology, density, phase behavior, heat capacity, thermal stability, pumpability, or other thermophysical properties of complex fluids.
• Experience operating high-temperature and/or high-pressure rheometers, autoclaves, reaction vessels, flow-through systems, or comparable experimental equipment.
• Knowledge of hydrothermal geochemistry, fluid-rock reactions, mineral dissolution and precipitation, scaling, corrosion, or compatibility with metals, cement, elastomers, and other engineered materials.
• Experience with particle-laden fluids, colloidal stability, dispersion methods, sedimentation control, surface chemistry, or pumpability assessment.
• Experience with one or more analytical methods such as Raman spectroscopy, ICP-MS/OES, XRD, SEM, DSC, thermogravimetric analysis, particle-size analysis, or microscopy.
• Proficiency in computational data analysis using Python, MATLAB, R, or similar tools; familiarity with thermodynamic, reactive-transport, molecular, CALPHAD, or AI/ML-guided materials workflows is also valuable.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe and reproducible laboratory research, including preparation of experimental procedures, hazard analyses, chemical-compatibility reviews, and operating documentation.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Work Schedule: This position may require 24/7 coverage, which could involve working a shift or weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift or weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

Note to Applicants:

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

No applicant is expected to have all of the desired qualifications. Anyone who meets the minimum requirements is encouraged to apply. The application package should include a CV and a one-page cover letter describing how the candidate meets the minimum requirements and any relevant desired qualifications. In addition to applying online, candidates may email their CV and cover letter to Dr. Meng Meng (mengm@lanl.gov).

Outstanding candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship or the J. Robert Oppenheimer, Richard P. Feynman, or Frederick Reines Fellowships. For information about the application process, postdoctoral salaries, and fellowships, visit the LANL Postdoctoral Research Program.

Separate post-master's, summer internship, and graduate research assistant opportunities may also be available. Interested candidates may contact Dr. Meng Meng (mengm@lanl.gov).

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paid childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

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