Now hiring

Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI for Hydrological Modeling (Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830) @ Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USOnsiteFull-time
Apply with ResuMinder

Opens on the employer's site

About this role

<p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Requisition Id 15769 </span></p><div id="tor__flistingLayout_readOnlyDiv"> <div id="tor__flistingLayout_content"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><strong>Overview:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The Computational Hydrology and Atmospheric Science (CHAS) Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate in the areas of Hydrological and Earth System Modeling and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The successful candidate will have a strong background in computational science, data analysis, and process-based modeling of hydrological and Earth system processes. The CHAS group conducts world-class research in hydrological and Earth system modeling, large-scale data analytics and machine learning (ML), and data-model integration, leveraging the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Leadership-Class Computing Facilities to advance predictive understanding of complex environmental systems.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><strong>Major Duties/Responsibilities:</strong></span></p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Develop and apply AI foundation models for hydrological and Earth system modeling, with emphasis on improving predictive capabilities for compound flooding in coastal regions.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Design and implement physics-informed and physics-ML hybrid approaches that integrate domain knowledge with data-driven methods to advance hydrological process understanding and prediction.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Conduct multimodal, multiscale data analysis by integrating diverse datasets (e.g., in situ observations, remote sensing products, model simulations) to inform model development, calibration, and validation.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of hydrologists, Earth scientists, and computational scientists to leverage leadership-class computing resources for large-scale model training, testing, and deployment.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Contribute to the development of scalable, explainable, and uncertainty-aware AI methods that enhance model robustness, reliability, and scientific discovery.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present results at national and international conferences.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Engage with collaborators across DOE laboratories, universities, and partner agencies to broaden the applications of AI-enabled hydrological modeling.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Ensure compliance with ORNL’s safety, security, quality, and environmental standards while carrying out all research activities.<br><br></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><strong>Technical Questions:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Please contact Dan Lu <a style="color:black" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><strong>Basic Qualifications:</strong></span></p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">A Ph.D. in Hydrology, Earth system science, Water resources engineering, Computational sciences, Computer sciences or a related field completed within the last 5 years (or expected soon).</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Demonstrated experience in hydrological or Earth system modeling, with emphasis on process understanding and prediction.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Strong background in computational sciences, including numerical methods, high-performance computing (HPC), or large-scale data analysis.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Experience in applying AI/ML techniques to hydrological and Earth sciences.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Proficiency in scientific programming languages such as Python, Julia, R, Fortran, or C/C++.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.</span><br><br></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><strong>Preferred Qualifications:</strong></span></p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Knowledge of uncertainty quantification methods and causal inference for complex environmental systems.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Experience with large-scale Earth system simulations, particularly using the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM).</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Background in coastal and compound flooding simulations, including subsurface–surface and hydrodynamic interactions.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Demonstrated ability and strong motivation to conduct innovative, high-impact research and disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">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.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><strong>ORNL Ethics and Conduct:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">As a member of the ORNL scientific community, you will be expected to commit to ORNL&apos;s Research Code of Conduct. Our full code of conduct, and a statement by the Lab Director&apos;s office can be found here: <a style="color:black" href="https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity">https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><strong>Benefits at ORNL: </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">UT Battelle offers an exceptional benefits package to include matching 401K, Pension Plan, Paid Vacation and Medical / Dental plan. Onsite amenities include Credit Union, Medical Clinic and free Fitness facilities. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><strong>Relocation: </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">UT Battelle offers a wide range of relocation benefits for individuals and families to make it easier to come and work here. If you are invited to interview, please ask your Recruiter about relocating with ORNL</span></p> </div> </div> <p> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.<br><br></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt;color:black">ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.</span></p>

Ready to apply?

Install the ResuMinder extension and we'll auto-fill the application in seconds — no rewriting.

See how your CV scores