Postdoctoral Research Associate - Tritium Breeding Blanket Analysis

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Tritium Breeding Blanket Analysis

life insurance, parental leave, 401(k), retirement plan, relocation assistance

The Fusion Energy Division (FED) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory invites applications for a Nuclear Engineering position in the Blanket & Fuel Cycle Group. FED is developing the technical basis for the first fusion nuclear facility and the position will involve several disciplines, with an intended focus on design, analysis, and optimization of fluid flows in tritium breeding blankets, including computational fluid dynamic (CFD), thermal hydraulic, and magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) analyses.

We seek individuals with advanced analytical and computational skills who can use and modify open-source codes to develop technical solutions and explore integrated design and optimization of tritium breeding blanket systems and related component designs. The successful candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of simulation, design, and technology authorities, and should have a clear passion for R&D and a commitment to fostering team growth.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze variety of engineering problems using traditional analytical methods and finite element analysis packages to prove designs meet established design standards. Provide hand calculations to support the design.
• Perform computational fluid dynamic, computational magneto hydrodynamic, thermal hydraulic, and mass transport simulations of tritium breeding blanket designs.
• Collaboration with a broad, diverse, and multi-institutional team, including experimentalists, design engineers, and computational scientists, on the design and optimization of tritium breeding blankets and fusion reactor cooling systems.
• Prepare schedules, cost estimates, status updates, and performance reports for responsible projects.
• Effectively communicate project outcomes to ORNL management and project sponsors, both internal and external.
• Timely dissemination of research results through publications and presentations at scientific conferences and workshops.
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field of study.
• Experience in computational fluid dynamics or thermal hydraulic simulation.
• Proven scientific research ability evidenced through peer-reviewed publications and/or presentations at technical conferences.
• Excellent communication skills including verbal, presentation, and writing skills are required to enable effective interaction with technical peers and program managers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ideal candidates will possess a background in nuclear engineering.
• Previous experience using thermal hydraulics models and codes
• Previous experience using the MOOSE framework.
• Familiarohydrodynamic flow.
• Experience in design and analysis of fusion reactor components, specifically tritium breeding blankets. General familiarity with a variety of blanket concepts (solid, liquid metal, and molten salt breeders) is a plus.
• Experience in the analysis of heat transfer systems.
• Working knowledge of computer languages such as C++, FORTRAN, or Python.
• Experience with computer aided design (CAD) software.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real  form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Benefits at ORNL:

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain hard-working people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits,…