Advanced Nuclear Materials - Senior R&D Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Job Description:

Requisition Id4722

Overview:

We are seeking a Senior R&D Staff Member to develop and lead research projects to study the effects of harsh operating environments of advanced nuclear energy systems in materials and to develop innovative materials and material integration technologies that withstand such an environments. The ideal candidate will have interest and experience in one or more of the below topics:

1. Effects of neutron and/or other energetic radiation on microstructures and properties of materials


2. Synergistic effects of any combinations of radiation, stress, high temperature, heat flux, plasma exposure, and corrosive environment in materials


3. Development of high temperature alloys, engineering ceramics, composites and/or other innovative materials for use in nuclear fission or fusion environments


4. Design and development of multi-material integration technologies for nuclear fission or fusion energy systems


5. Advanced manufacturing for materials or material integration for nuclear energy or related applications


6. Development and advancement of evaluation methods for environmental degradation of nuclear materials


7. Interactive approach of experiments and modeling in predicting material behaviors in experimentally inaccessible operating conditions

The Senior Staff Member will employ state-of-the-art technology and research equipment to enable the next generation of nuclear energy and power systems including fission and fusion reactors. The position resides in the in the Advanced Nuclear Materials (ANM) Group, Materials in Extremes (MiE) Section, Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As part of our research team, the incumbent will propose research to sponsors, coordinate laboratory work with the project team (assembled from ORNL research staff and technicians) and communicate research outcomes to the international research community and, ultimately, impact the next generation of nuclear power generation technologies to enable a low carbon future.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead research proposals to sponsors


• Coordinate and/or conduct laboratory experiments in controlled environments


• Communicate and coordinate experimental results with other organizations to facilitate collaborations


• Use range of analysis techniques to characterize the performance of specimens exposed in extreme environments


• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner


• Help ANM and related Groups strengthen scientific competency through mentoring and interacting with peer staff members


• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality program requirements


• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in Materials Science or a related discipline


• Requires a minimum of 6 years relevant experience after a PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• An outstanding record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals


• Demonstrated success in proposing research


• Demonstrated extensive knowledge regarding current nuclear materials science research and underlying principles


• Experience studying radiation effects in materials utilizing conventional and advanced microstructural/microchemical characterization tools including, but not limited to, scanning, transmission, and analytical electron microscopy


• Experience studying mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of engineering materials


• Deep knowledge of lattice defect production, evolutions, and interactions in crystalline solids


• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience


• Experience writing successful proposals to government sponsors


• Experience mentoring early to mid-career researchers and advising graduate students


• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative and frequently interacting teams of researchers


• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

Special Requirements

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

Three letters of reference are required and can be uploaded to your profile or emailed directly to PSDrecruit@ornl.gov. Please include the title of the position in the subject line.

Please provide a list of publications when applying for this position.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.