Nuclear Chemical Engineer for Materials Attractiveness

Requisition Id 7125 

Purpose:

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) is a division operating within the National Security Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The NND performs research and development to detect, characterize, and monitor nuclear fuel cycle activities and nuclear explosions; develops concepts, approaches, and technologies to strengthen global security for nuclear and radiological material; and engages with federal agencies to enhance international nonproliferation regimes.

The Material Security and Counterproliferation (MSC) group within the NND at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks applications for a Senior R&D Staff Member who will focus on the science and technology of nuclear chemical engineering with a specific focus on applications to materials attractiveness. Attractiveness in this context is the relative utility of materials containing special nuclear material for use in malicious acts. Familiarity with the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear materials processing, nuclear materials handling, and nuclear materials characterization are essential skills for this position.

You will be expected to lead activities focused on the identification, assessment, analysis, and experimental testing of chemical processes with both surrogate materials and actual nuclear materials. This work will be performed as part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on the development, testing, and characterization of materials for national security purposes. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead research activities in areas related to modeling of chemical processes.
• Extend existing theories and models for predicting such chemical processes.
• Lead and advise an experimental team conducting experiments with surrogate materials and nuclear materials.
• Extend the theory and practical applications of material attractiveness for national security purposes.
• Apply the theory to ongoing practical material handling and disposition problems facing the Department of Energy.
• Collaborate with researchers inside and outside ORNL to advance the technical and scientific missions of the group, laboratory, and sponsor.
• Interact regularly with senior scientists, program managers, group members, and prepare and present periodic reports documenting research and development activities.
• Publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, consistent with programmatic and legal restrictions regarding operational security and export control.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements

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

• Mentor early career research staff, postdocs, technicians, and students.

Qualifications Required:

• A PhD degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Chemical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering with demonstrated experience in nuclear material processing.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in nuclear engineering or an applied field such as countering weapons of mass destruction.

• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated project or program management experience

• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and to lead a collaborative team of supporting researchers.

• Prior experience with nuclear materials characterization, especially as pertains to materials attractiveness and national security applications is highly desirable.

Special Requirement:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated 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 [email protected].

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.