National Renewable Energy Laboratory www.nrel.gov

Job Details:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, is the nation’s primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL is initiating a new research and development program for ocean energy technologies within the National Wind Technology Center. This new R&D program has openings for two full-time Postdoctoral Researchers in ocean wave, tidal and river current energy systems R&D. The postdoctoral researchers will perform research with an inter-laboratory team responsible for accelerating the development of all forms of ocean energy technology in the U.S. The scope of the research is broad and spans system analysis, device design, performance analysis, dynamic of multi-device systems and moorings, as well as related experimental measurement of potential environmental impacts.

Job Duties
The postdoctoral researchers will perform ocean energy device R&D, teaming with other laboratories and industry to develop water turbines, buoys, and other types of ocean energy machines. The research will primarily involve the tools of marine hydrodynamics, machine design and engineering mechanics and dynamics for the analysis and testing of ocean energy devices; however experience in physical or biological oceanography would also be useful. The postdoctoral researchers will develop and perform creative new analysis, develop validation experiments for subscale and full scale components, devices, and ocean device arrays. The scope of work will include analysis of device performance, loads and dynamic responses, as well as the development of experimental protocols, sensors and instrumentation that can measurements device response and assess changes in the fluid flow, sediment transport, and potential environmental impacts on marine life. The researchers will also make presentations on project progress to sponsors and reviewers, write annual project reports, and publish research results in peer-reviewed journals. These postdoctoral appointments can be extended for up to three years by mutual agreement with outstanding performance.

Required Education and Experience
Must be a recent Ph.D. graduate with in the last three years.

Additional Basic Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The positions require experience in engineering or science with a strong background in one of the following areas: ocean engineering, naval architecture, fluid-structural interactions, computational fluid dynamics, experimental fluid mechanics, mechanical systems dynamics and controls, or oceanography or experience in ocean field experiments.

Preferred Qualifications
The preferred candidates will have previous experience in computational fluid dynamics with a free surface, rotating systems, and floating structures. Experience in design and analysis of ocean energy systems is also desired. Candidates with experimental experience in ocean measurements of fluid flow, and biological parameters are also encouraged to apply.