Postdoctoral Research Associate - Modeling, Control, and AI for Thermal Systems

Work in ORNL’s Building Equipment Research Group on modeling, optimization and autonomous control of thermal systems, including HVAC, water heating and data-center cooling. Responsibilities include physics-based, data-driven and hybrid models; experimental validation; advanced control strategies; sensor integration; anomaly detection; and predictive maintenance. Research spans component and system design. The appointment is up to 24 months, with potential extension subject to performance and funding. Federal access and identification requirements apply, and two reference letters are requested.

PhD in computer science, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a related field within the past five years; at least three years of complex-system modeling/optimization experience; thermal-fluid systems, control theory, AI/ML, programming and physics-based modeling expertise.