Description
Application link: https://lanl.jobs/search/jobdetails/postdoctoral-research-associate-in-chemical-design-and-formulation-of-densified-fluids-for-superhot-geothermal-systems/cdacf5d2-0772-428c-bbbe-55e71689c568
What You Will Do
The Fractured Earth Laboratory and Microfluidics Laboratory in the Analytical Earth Science Group (EES-15) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to design and formulate new high-density working fluids for superhot geothermal systems.
The primary scientific responsibility of this position is fluid design. The successful candidate will identify promising chemical systems, formulate new fluids, establish composition-property relationships, and optimize tradeoffs among density, viscosity, rheology, phase stability, thermal stability, pumpability, chemical compatibility, and cost. The most promising formulations will then be experimentally qualified under extreme geothermal conditions.
The research will support gravity-assisted geothermal concepts and related subsurface-energy technologies requiring fluids that remain stable and functional at temperatures of 375 °C or higher and pressures of 22 MPa or higher. LANL provides extensive expertise and experimental capabilities in superhot geothermal systems, high-temperature/high-pressure experimentation, analytical chemistry, geomechanics, porous-media flow, and subsurface engineering. Prior geothermal experience is therefore beneficial but is not the primary requirement; demonstrated expertise in fluid chemistry and formulation is more important.
The successful candidate will develop and screen candidate fluid chemistries that may include:
concentrated single- and mixed-salt brines;
aqueous and nonaqueous high-density liquid systems;
ionic, molecular, or hybrid working fluids;
particle-laden and colloidal formulations;
CO2-assisted or other multiphase systems;
additives, stabilizers, cosolvents, or other components used to control density, viscosity, phase behavior, precipitation, or thermal stability.
The candidate will establish systematic composition-structure-property relationships and use them to guide formulation rather than relying solely on trial-and-error screening. Experimental measurements may include density, viscosity and rheology, phase behavior, solubility, thermal stability, heat capacity, dispersion stability, sedimentation, pumpability, and chemical and materials compatibility.
A major research component will be understanding how candidate fluids evolve under extreme conditions, including:
thermal decomposition and chemical degradation;
salt solubility and phase separation;
mineral dissolution and precipitation;
secondary-phase formation;
scaling and deposition;
corrosion and materials compatibility;
fluid-rock reactions;
changes in rheological and thermophysical properties during thermal exposure.
Depending on the candidate's background, computational approaches such as thermodynamic modeling, molecular modeling, structure-property prediction, CALPHAD-type methods, or AI/ML-guided formulation screening may be used to reduce the experimental search space and accelerate fluid discovery.
LANL capabilities supporting this work include high-pressure rheometry, thermal conductivity device, Parr reactors, Dickson-style autoclaves, cold-seal and dynamic flow-through reactors, high-temperature/high-pressure Raman spectroscopy, ICP-MS/OES, XRD, SEM, thermal-analysis methods, wet-chemistry and mineralogy laboratories, core-flooding systems, and rock-mechanics facilities.
The candidate will work closely with scientists and engineers specializing in geochemistry, geomechanics, high-pressure/high-temperature experimentation, thermodynamic modeling, reactive transport, AI/ML, reservoir simulation, and geothermal engineering. The candidate will document reproducible formulation and testing methods, publish results in peer-reviewed journals, present at technical conferences, and contribute to collaborative research programs.
The position is for a two-year term, with the possibility of extension to a third year based on performance and funding availability.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Geochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, or a closely related discipline with research experience relevant to liquid formulation, solution chemistry, thermodynamics, or reactive fluid systems.
Candidates with degrees in other engineering or physical-science disciplines may be considered only if they demonstrate substantial hands-on experience designing chemical fluid formulations.
Demonstrated experience designing and formulating liquid or multiphase fluid systems to achieve targeted properties such as density, viscosity, rheology, phase stability, solubility, thermal stability, dispersion stability, chemical compatibility, or transport behavior.
Evidence that the candidate has personally made formulation decisions, including selection of chemical components, concentrations, additives, solvents, salts, particles, or other constituents and systematic modification of those variables to achieve performance targets.
Hands-on laboratory experience preparing chemical formulations and quantitatively characterizing their physical and/or chemical properties.
Experience with experimental instrumentation, laboratory equipment, data acquisition, and quantitative analysis.
Demonstrated ability to interpret composition-property or structure-property relationships and use experimental results to guide subsequent formulation design.
A record of peer-reviewed research, including at least one lead-author publication, and demonstrated written, oral, and collaborative communication skills.
Important clarification: Experience limited primarily to characterization or application testing of pre-existing fluids, without substantial responsibility for formulation design, is not sufficient by itself for this position.
Education/Experience
Candidates must have received a Ph.D. within the last five years in a relevant STEM discipline or must have completed all Ph.D. requirements by the start of the appointment.
Desired Qualifications:
High-density fluid or brine formulation, including concentrated electrolytes, mixed-salt solutions, high-salinity fluids, drilling/completion fluids, heat-transfer fluids, or other dense working fluids.
Solution thermodynamics and phase behavior, including solubility, activity, speciation, liquid-liquid or solid-liquid equilibrium, electrolyte thermodynamics, or high-temperature aqueous chemistry.
Molecular or thermodynamic fluid design, including development of structure-property relationships, molecular descriptors, equation-of-state methods, COSMO-based methods, molecular simulation, or predictive formulation tools.
Ionic liquids, deep-eutectic solvents, concentrated electrolytes, advanced solvents, or other functional liquid systems.
Rheological characterization and formulation of Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluids, including viscosity, viscoelasticity, yield stress, shear-rate dependence, or suspension rheology.
Hydrothermal geochemistry, geothermal brines, water-rock interaction, mineral dissolution/precipitation, scaling, or corrosion.
Thermal stability and decomposition chemistry of fluids under elevated temperature and pressure.
Colloid and suspension chemistry, including particle stabilization, dispersion, sedimentation control, surface chemistry, or particle-fluid interactions.
Operation of high-temperature/high-pressure rheometers, autoclaves, reaction vessels, or flow-through systems. Prior HPHT experience is desirable but is not required for an otherwise strong candidate in fluid chemistry and formulation.
Analytical characterization using techniques such as NMR, Raman, FTIR, ICP-MS/OES, ion chromatography, HPLC, GC-MS, XRD, SEM/EDS, DSC/TGA, particle-size analysis, or microscopy.
Computational analysis using Python, MATLAB, R, or similar tools and/or experience with thermodynamic, molecular, reactive-transport, CALPHAD, or machine-learning approaches.
Demonstrated commitment to safe, reproducible laboratory research, including experimental procedures, chemical compatibility assessment, hazard analysis, and operating documentation.
Work Environment:
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.
Note to Applicants:
No applicant is expected to have experience in every area listed above. The highest priority is demonstrated ability to design and formulate fluids based on chemical and thermophysical performance requirements. Prior geothermal experience is not required.
Applicants should submit a CV and a one-page cover letter.
In the cover letter, please describe at least one fluid or liquid formulation that you personally designed or substantially modified. Please identify:
the targeted performance requirements;
the chemical components or formulation variables you selected;
why those components were selected;
how you experimentally evaluated the formulation; and
how the results informed the next formulation or design decision.
Candidates whose primary experience is in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, fluid mechanics, or geothermal engineering are encouraged to apply only if their research includes substantial chemical fluid-formulation or fluid-design experience.
In addition to applying online, candidates may send their CV and cover letter to Dr. Meng Meng at 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.
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.Instructions on How to Activate/ Create a LANL Jobs Account:
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