Graduate Researcher - Thermal Sciences Research Scientist

Description

Job Description:

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

The Leidos Civil Group is seeking a Graduate Researcher - Thermal Sciences Research Scientist for its Research Support Services (RSS) contract for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). NETL is a DOE national laboratory that produces technological solutions for America's energy challenges. The Graduate Researcher will design, conduct, and analyze gas turbine blade and vane cooling experiments at NETL to evaluate cooling geometries and develop correlations for enhanced heat transfer. The Graduate Researcher will support test design and data analysis with CFD analysis. They will also work in a team of NETL researchers whose responsibilities include: identifying specific heat transfer features for testing; assessing test article type (flat plate versus air foil) to enable collection of accurate and reliable test data; and designing modifications to the test rig to support specific test objectives. The Graduate Researcher is expected to disseminate the research by preparing and presenting technical papers and reports. They will also lend support to the analysis of related NETL aero-thermal projects.

TERM OF COMMITMENT: This research position is intended to be a term position, with varying levels of commitment that are not expected to last longer than 2 years. You will be informed prior to applying what length of commitment is anticipated. Also, those who successfully fill a term position, may be invited to apply for an additional term. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to create an employment contract. Employment will remain at will. Driven by our talented workforce, the Integrated Missions Operation builds trust through an array of energy-related IT, environmental science and engineering solutions to meet our customers’ needs.

Location: Morgantown, WV

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Responsibilities are functional in nature and performed under supervision. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Meeting task requirements of NETL and LRST managers in attaining goals established for the NETL Turbine Thermal Management team and RIC programs
• Providing R&D technical support for the NETL Turbine Thermal Management team.
• Assisting the Turbine Thermal Management team on
  • Designing and conducting film cooling experiments; analyzing experimental data and evaluating the performance of various film cooling geometries such as cylindrical, tripod and shaped holes; b. Presenting technical findings during regular team meetings as well as workshops
• Simulating (CFD) the conditions of experimental test facility to predict the performance of the test articles
• Perform essential calculations required to scale performance at engine operating conditions and develop a test matrix to identify relevant parameters and operating ranges
• Active participation in group meetings of the Turbines Thermal Management team, well as other task related meetings
• Analyzing experimental data from laboratory tests and published data from other authors.
• Assisting in the preparation of technical papers, reports, conference papers, and annual and quarterly reports.
• Presenting the results of the research at technical conferences and publishing in archival journals.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master's Degree in mechanical engineering, energy, materials science, or a closely related field, with less than 2 years experience
• US Citizenship or Green Card holder
• Ability to obtain and maintain access to customer site
• Experience in a combination of the following: Heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics
• Experience with instrumentation for measurement of flow rates, pressures, and temperatures
• Experience with designing & conducting experiments
• Experience with analysis and reduction of experimental data
• Experience in numerical simulation (CFD) with an emphasis on heat transfer

Preferred Qualifications:

• A PhD in mechanical engineering, energy, materials science, or a closely related field
• Basic knowledge of operation of test facilities to evaluate the performance of various gas turbine cooled geometries.
• Ability to work independently as well with a team of researchers. Skilled in approaching the problem with the help of existing scholarly articles and/or simulation driven design to arrive at solutions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and provide support to a multidisciplinary/multi-organization team of co-investigators from diverse disciplines. Present design ideas and findings succinctly and provide assistance to obtain solutions during the process
• Skilled in evaluation of experimental data obtained from steady state and transient conditions and developing simplified models for the same purpose
• Ability to evaluate heat transfer using proven techniques such as IR thermography, for example.
• Application of numerical methods such as finite difference or finite elements to evaluate heat fluxes on cooled articles
• Ability to apply available software packages
  • Autodesk Investor or any equivalent CAD software
  • Ansys – Fluent, Workbench or any equivalent CFD software
  • Python or any equivalent programming language
• Demonstrated proficiency in the writing of scholarly publications
• Demonstrated proficiency in collaborating technical findings with external research organizations such as research laboratories and/or academic institutions
• Ability to document and present research results, including using power point presentations and making podium presentations at technical meetings.
• Ability to work effectively with other research personnel sharing the laboratories to maintain good housekeeping and safe operations.

Pay Range: