UT-ORII R&D Associate - Advanced Construction Systems

UT-ORII R&D Associate - Advanced Construction Systems

We are seeking an early-career R&D Associate Staff Member to develop and demonstrate advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automation technologies for next-generation building construction. This position resides in the Manufacturing Robotics and Controls Group in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD), Energy Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD), at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This role will focus on the development and implementation of novel robotic construction workflows, human-machine collaboration strategies, and automated manufacturing platforms that transform how buildings are designed and constructed.

The successful candidate will contribute to a UT-ORII Convergent Research Initiative (CRI) aimed at enabling affordable, resilient, high-productivity construction practices through advanced automation. As an ORNL staff member aligned with UT-ORII, the selected candidate will also be appointed as a UT-ORII Fellow, working collaboratively with University of Tennessee faculty through joint research engagement and student mentorship.

ORNL is the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.

Position Summary:

Develop and demonstrate robotic and automated systems for advanced building construction. Create new manufacturing workflows that integrate robotics, automation, digital design, and advanced materials. Investigate human-machine interaction strategies to augment skilled labor and improve productivity and safety. Lead technical tasks within a UT-ORII Convergent Research Initiative focused on industrialized and automated construction. Contribute to proposal development and help grow a nationally visible research portfolio in automated construction technologies.

This is an RP2-level independent contributor position expected to solve technically complex problems with limited supervision and develop growing external visibility.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent R&D in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing systems for building construction.
• Design, prototype, and demonstrate new robotic construction processes (e.g., robotic assembly, automated fabrication, large-scale additive manufacturing, modular construction automation).
• Develop control strategies, perception systems, and digital workflows for construction-scale automation.
• Advance human-robot collaboration methods in manufacturing and construction environments.
• Integrate sensing, control, and manufacturing systems to enable repeatable, scalable construction practices.
• Collaborate with UT faculty, ORNL researchers, and industry partners through UT-ORII.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students engaged in the CRI.
• Prepare and present research results to DOE sponsors, industry, and academic audiences.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at leading conferences.
• Contribute to proposal development and strategic research planning.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality requirements per ORNL SBMS.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 1 year of postdoctoral experience or relevant industry experience in advanced manufacturing, robotics, or construction automation.
• Demonstrated research experience in at least one of the following:
  Robotics and autonomous systems. Construction automation or industrialized construction. Advanced manufacturing systems. Human-machine interaction in manufacturing environments. Robotic process development and system integration.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, patents, or equivalent technical contributions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing robotic systems for large-scale or unstructured environments.
• Experience in advanced building construction technologies…