The Opportunity:

The Theory, Modeling, and Simulation Group within NIST’s Material Data Division seeks a pioneering postdoctoral researcher to bridge the gap between classical fluid mechanics and the future of quantum-accelerated computation. We conduct high-impact collaborative projects at the dual frontiers of Measurement Science and Critical Emerging Technologies (CETs).

The Challenge:

As technologies increasingly rely on the complex interplay of vapors, liquids, and particles, the need for "metrology-grade" simulation is rapidly emerging. You will develop and apply advanced algorithms to characterize heterogeneous multiphase media and their interactions with matter. Your work will provide theoretical support for strategic laboratory protocols, measurement quantitation, and data analysis, enabling us to understand the physics of uncertainty in novel methodologies.

Key Research Areas:

• Multiphase Digital Twins: Develop high-fidelity models for [1] Breath metrology (forensics and clinical diagnostics) and [2] aerosol/granular transport (from ultrafine particles to bulk flows) for various applications.
• Algorithmic Integration: Utilize and advance a suite of computational tools, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD), discrete element method (DEM), and discrete phase model (DPM), with a specific focus on coupled approaches (CFD-DEM/CFPD) in turbulent environments.
• Quantum Acceleration: Pioneer the transition of fluid dynamics simulations from classical architectures to quantum computing algorithms. You will explore how quantum mechanics can resolve the scaling bottlenecks of traditional Navier-Stokes solvers.

Who You Are:

• Computationally Fluent: You are familiar with CFD, particularly turbulent flows, and the coupling of computational fluid and particle dynamics. You also have an interest in the intersection of quantum algorithms and fluid mechanics.
• Metrology-Minded: You don't just want to run simulations; you want to understand why they work and how they correlate to physical measurement and uncertainty.

References

• Malavé, V. et al, Predictions of aerosol deposition in an impaction filter at measured breath flowrates from cannabis users, J. Breath Res., 2026, Submitted.
• Malavé, V. et al, 3D computational fluid and particle dynamics simulations: Metrics of aerosol capture by impaction filters, J. Breath Res., 2024, 18 016002.

Multiphysics simulations; computational fluid dynamics; discrete phase model; discrete element method; computational fluid and particle dynamics; multiscale simulations; quantum computing.

citizenship

Open to U.S. citizens

level

Open to Postdoctoral applicants