Postdoctoral Research Associate, Optical Fiber Sensing

Date: Sep 24, 2026

Location: Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830

Company: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Requisition : 17149

Nearest Major Market: Knoxville

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on using optical fibers for measuring property evolution, dimensional changes, and corrosion in harsh, high temperature, nuclear environments. This position resides in the Nuclear and Extreme Environment Measurement (NEEM) Group in the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

The NEEM Group focuses on pushing the limitations of materials, sensors, and experiments through technology development, advanced instrumentation, irradiation experiments, and rapid design/fabrication. As part of the research team, you will investigate optical fiber instrumentation. More specifically, this position would develop Fabry-Perot interferometer-based sensors to measure thermal and irradiation creep in advanced nuclear materials, as well as measuring the corrosion and oxidation of zirconium in light water reactor environments.

The candidate will be expected to model prototypes of the fiber optic based sensors using standard Multiphysics software, perform out-of pile laboratory testing of the instruments in representative environments, and analyze the results of testing and simulations. Metrics for success will include scientific output, disseminating results at national and international conferences and other technical meetings, and delivering programmatic milestones.

• Design, analyze, fabricate and test Fabry-Perot cavity-based fiber-optic sensors to measure the deformation of metal diaphragms for various harsh environment applications.
• Develop data acquisition and control systems that include hydraulic or pneumatic actuation and pressure monitoring combined with interrogation of optical fiber-based measurement systems.
• Assemble (splicing, polishing, testing, etc.) and install optical fiber sensors.
• Relate measurements to changes in material properties such as creep, plasticity, and corrosion/oxidation.
• Interface with other staff working in related areas including vibroacoustic signal analysis, signal processing, optical fiber sensing, and general instrumentation.
• Document results in technical reports, patents, journal papers, and conference publications, participate in proposals, and estimate costs.

• A PhD degree in physics, optical or electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, or a related discipline within the past 5 years.
• Expertise in optical fiber communications or sensing.

• Experience in analyzing interferometric sensor data such as extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometry, optical frequency-domain reflectometry, optical time-domain reflectometry, or distributed acoustic sensing.
• Proficiency in Multiphysics modeling software (ANSYS, COMSOL, MOOSE, etc.) to model materials in high temperature or high stress conditions.
• Experience working with high pressure systems and pressure control systems.
• Experience setting up data acquisition systems and implementing signal processing techniques.
  
  Experience working with benchtop instrumentation, including power supplies, oscilloscopes, optical spectrum analyzers, etc.
• 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.

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.
• 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.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued,…