Research Technician: Institute Nuclear Security - UTK

Job Description

Institute for Nuclear Security (INS) in the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) campus is seeking two Research Specialists. UTK is recognized by Forbes magazine as one of America’s best places to work and offers competitive benefits.

The Research Specialists will perform ceramic particle size reduction, separation, and characterization analysis on various ceramic powders. Reductions will be performed through crushing and milling. Separation will be performed with gravity separators. Characterization will include the use of various particle size analyzers, BET, Pycnometer, XRF, XRD, and SEM.

• Run laboratory experiments
• Work cooperatively with our nuclear materials processing team
• Assist in data analysis
• Prepare data for reporting
• Be involved with design of future experiments

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering, materials engineering, mining engineering, geology, or an earth and planetary science field.
• Experience:
  
  One year of experience with processing, characterization, and analysis of non-metallic inorganic materials, particle size reduction and characterization, and good measurement practices.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Experience with mechanical testing of ceramics and machining of ceramics.
  • Knowledge of ceramic phenomena under high stress conditions.
  • The ability to perform advanced data analysis using scanning electron microscopy.

• Location:
  
  Knoxville, Tennessee
• Onsite

• UT market range: MR07
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before March 31st, 2026:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References with names, email and phone numbers