R&D Associate Staff Member, Mechanical and Structural Characterization ofNuclear Materials

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R&D Associate Staff Member, Mechanical and Structural Characterization of Nuclear Materials

We are seeking a R&D Associate Staff Member who will focus on mechanical and structural characterization of nuclear materials. This position resides in the Advanced Fuel Fabrication and Instrumentation Group in the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

The AFFI Group fabricates advanced nuclear materials and composite nuclear fuel forms to support a range of reactor applications. A primary research thrust is understanding how processing variables, composite architecture, and service conditions (e.g. corrosion, temperature, radiation) affect the structure, chemistry, and mechanical properties of these fuels and materials. As part of our research team, you will utilize existing characterization and testing capabilities as well as develop new small-scale and in situ characterization methods to elucidate performance of nuclear grade structural alloys, traditional nuclear fuels, coated particle fuels, and other advanced nuclear materials. Metrics for success will include scientific output, disseminating results at national and international conferences and other technical meetings, and delivering on programmatic milestones.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Utilize a wide range of standard characterization methods (e.g. optical microscopy, electron microscopy, mechanical testing across length scales, various spectroscopy as dictated by material of interest) to study the microstructure and properties of nuclear materials in both the unirradiated and irradiated states.
• Develop and direct execution of test matrices to develop processing-structure-property correlations for nuclear materials.
• Interface with other staff working in related areas including additive manufacturing of materials relevant to nuclear fuels, chemical vapor deposition and gas phase coatings, and tristructural isotropic fuel development.
• Lead peer-reviewed publications, programmatic reports, and provide presentations at conferences / meetings summarizing results and outcomes in the above areas.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD degree in materials science, nuclear, mechanical, or chemical engineering, or a related discipline
• Expertise in characterization of nuclear materials as evidenced by publication record

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in small scale mechanical testing
• Previous work with radiological materials
• Experience working at or collaboration with DOE national laboratories
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory 
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

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.