Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental and Computational Geomechanics, Subsurface Fluid Flow, and Superhot Geothermal Well Integrity

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. Models may represent laboratory specimens, fractured rock, pressure-containing components, and casing-cement-rock systems and may incorporate heat transfer, porous-media flow, contact, cohesive interfaces, poromechanics, temperature-dependent elasticity and plasticity, creep, damage, and fracture.

What You Will Do

The Fractured Earth Laboratory in Analytical Earth Science (EES-15) group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking one or two Postdoctoral Research Associates to conduct integrated experimental and computational research in geomechanics, subsurface fluid flow, and well integrity for next-generation superhot geothermal systems. The work will examine the coupled behavior of reservoir rock, fractures, well cement, casing, and material interfaces under subcritical, supercritical, and superhot conditions. Supported by sponsored research programs focused on advanced geothermal energy, the position will connect laboratory measurements with finite-element and multiphysics models to evaluate deformation, fluid transport, material degradation, failure mechanisms, and long-term well performance.

The experimental component will involve developing, commissioning, and operating high-temperature, high-pressure systems and designing triaxial, core-flooding, and dynamic flow-through experiments on intact and fractured rock and well cement. These systems will operate at temperatures up to 500 °C and pressures up to 140 MPa. Research topics may include stress-strain behavior, brittle-to-ductile transitions, porosity and permeability evolution, fracture aperture and conductivity, pressure- and thermally driven fluid flow, cement initial stress, thermal and pressure cycling, interface behavior, and thermochemical degradation. The candidate will integrate sensors and data-acquisition systems, develop safe and reproducible experimental procedures, and analyze the resulting data to identify the coupled processes governing subsurface fluid flow, geomechanical response, and well-integrity performance.

The computational component will include developing, verifying, validating, and applying two-dimensional and three-dimensional finite-element and multiphysics models using Abaqus and, where appropriate, complementary flow or wellbore-simulation tools. Models may represent laboratory specimens, fractured rock, pressure-containing components, and casing-cement-rock systems and may incorporate heat transfer, porous-media flow, contact, cohesive interfaces, poromechanics, temperature-dependent elasticity and plasticity, creep, damage, and fracture. The candidate will use Python scripting and, where appropriate, Abaqus user subroutines to automate model generation, conduct parametric studies, calibrate constitutive and transport behavior, and evaluate the effects of material properties, construction variability, and operational loading on fluid flow, damage, interface opening, and leakage-pathway development.

Candidates may enter the position with a stronger background in experimental geomechanics, subsurface fluid-flow experimentation, or computational mechanics. Available capabilities include high-temperature/high-pressure triaxial and core-flooding systems, X-ray imaging, microfluidics, fiber-optic sensing, cement testing equipment, supercritical flow-through reactors, and advanced computational resources. Opportunities may also include inverse calibration, uncertainty quantification, surrogate modeling, optimization, and integration with AI/ML tools. The candidate will collaborate across institutions, 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 geoscience, geophysics, materials science, applied physics, computational mechanics, or geological, civil, mechanical, petroleum, geothermal, or a related engineering field, with education or research experience in geomechanics, solid mechanics, porous-media flow, fluid mechanics, or numerical methods.
• Demonstrated research experience in one or more of the following areas: experimental geomechanics or materials testing; subsurface fluid-flow, core-flooding, or fracture-flow experiments; or finite-element or computational mechanics using Abaqus or comparable software. Interest in integrating experiments with modeling is required.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and scientific programming, together with experience in experimental instrumentation, numerical model development, constitutive or transport analysis, or comparison of results with analytical, laboratory, or field data.
• 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 safely operating high-temperature and/or high-pressure triaxial, core-flooding, flow-through, autoclave, or other pressure-rated experimental systems.
• Experience measuring permeability, fracture aperture or conductivity, multiphase or supercritical fluid flow, pressure-dependent transport, or coupled deformation-flow behavior in rock, cement, fractures, or porous materials.
• Experience designing test fixtures or pressure systems; selecting seals, sensors, tubing, and materials; and integrating instrumentation, data acquisition, or laboratory automation.
• Advanced experience with Abaqus/CAE, Abaqus/Standard, and/or Abaqus/Explicit, including meshing, nonlinear materials, contact, solution controls, convergence analysis, postprocessing, and interpretation of results.
• Experience with Abaqus Python scripting, automated parametric workflows, or user subroutines such as UMAT, VUMAT, USDFLD, UEXPAN, DLOAD, or comparable customization methods.
• Background in rock, cement, concrete, metals, or material interfaces and in poromechanics, thermo-elastoplasticity, creep, damage, fracture, cohesive-zone behavior, porous-media flow, or coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical processes.
• Knowledge of geothermal or well-integrity applications, including cement initial stress, casing-cement-rock interaction, interface debonding, microannulus formation, thermal or pressure cycling, stimulation, material degradation, subsurface flow, or leakage-pathway development.
• Experience with X-ray or CT imaging, acoustic or ultrasonic methods, fiber-optic sensing, microfluidics, microscopy, mineralogy, model calibration and validation, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty quantification, surrogate modeling, optimization, high-performance computing, or AI/ML tools. Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, R, C++, or Fortran is valuable.

Note to Applicants:

The below blurb is required for ALL job ads

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).

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.

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.
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.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.