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Postdoctoral Appointee – Mechanical Engineering

Argonne National Laboratory · Lemont, IL,2d ago
$73k – $121k

PhD-level Academic / Postdoc roles on Crosslinked list a median of $100k (229 that show pay).

Develop advanced dielectric fluids, coatings and high-temperature materials via modeling, simulation, formulation and experimental testing.

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Worth knowing

Why it is interesting. Combines fluid formulation, multi-physics modeling and experimental validation across transformers, data centers and geothermal at a national lab.

Might not be for you. Framed as a mechanical engineering role; fluids and thermal focus rather than polymer science, and fully on-site five days a week.

Bench and deskGeneralist PhD-friendlyPostdoc bridge Publishes regularly

Adjacent materials role:development of advanced dielectric thermal fluids, lubricants, coatings and high temperature materials; corrosion-resistance coatings; characterization of materials

H-1B filings

Argonne National Laboratory filed 67 H-1B labor applications for scientist and engineer roles from Jan to Dec 2025.

Most common titles: Postdoctoral Appointee, Materials Scientist, Computational Scientist. Median filed pay: $77K a year.

From U.S. Department of Labor disclosure data. A filing is a record of past hiring, not a promise about this role, so confirm sponsorship with the employer. Titles and filed pay · Every employer's filings

Seniority
Postdoc
Work
On-site
Type
Postdoc
Degree
PhD
Experience
0–5 yrs
Industry
Energy
Role
Academic / Postdoc
Benefits
equity/stock

Role details

The Applied Materials Division at Argonne National Laboratory has an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Appointee. The candidate will be expected to contribute to projects on development of advanced dielectric thermal fluids, lubricants, coatings and high temperature materials through modeling analyses, numerical simulations, experimental tests, and scaling-up approaches. The research focuses on improved performance for applications in various advanced industries, including high-power transformers, data centers, geothermal energy utilizations, etc.

The candidate will collaborate with Argonne staff to establish technical approaches to the development of advanced dielectric fluids for high-power transformers. Formulation techniques, mechanism analyses, multi-physics models, and experimental validations are required tasks towards the ultimate research goal. The candidate is also expected to work on a few other projects related to data center thermal management, corrosion-resistance coatings, and thermal energy storage systems. In addition, the candidate will contribute to technical reports, conference presentations, and journal papers.

Position Requirements Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related field. Experience with thermal, mechanical, and electrical analyses and simulations. Experience with thermal, mechanical, and electrical testing and related test systems. Knowledge of various testing system principles, components, and structures. Proficiency in oral and written communications and presentations at all levels of the organization. A successful candidate must have the ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with fluids containing suspended nanoparticles. Knowledge of thermal, mechanical, and electrical performance and testing of fluids under high-temperature applications. Knowledge of experimental testing and characterization of materials Experience with thermal and computational fluid dynamics frameworks such as COMSOL Multiphysics. Job Family Postdoctoral Job Profile Postdoctoral Appointee Worker Type Long-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only.

The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits! As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation.

Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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Common questions

What is the salary for the Postdoctoral Appointee – Mechanical Engineering role at Argonne National Laboratory?

The listed annual base salary range is $73K–$121K. This figure is taken from the posting itself.

Where is the Postdoctoral Appointee – Mechanical Engineering role at Argonne National Laboratory based?

This role is based in Lemont, IL.

What degree is required for the Postdoctoral Appointee – Mechanical Engineering role at Argonne National Laboratory?

This role asks for a PhD.

How many years of experience does this Postdoctoral Appointee – Mechanical Engineering role require?

The posting calls for 0–5 years of relevant experience.

What polymers or materials does this Postdoctoral Appointee – Mechanical Engineering role work with?

dielectric fluids, coatings, lubricants, high temperature materials.

What techniques or methods are required for this Postdoctoral Appointee – Mechanical Engineering role?

thermal testing, mechanical testing, electrical testing.