Research Associate - Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science

Job : 58037

Location: Rolla

Full/Part Time: Part-Time

The Thermal-Hydraulics for Fission and Fusion Energy Systems Research Group, led by Dr. Subash L Sharma, is seeking a highly motivated and talented Research Associate to support advanced thermal-hydraulics research relevant to next-generation nuclear energy systems. The position focuses on transport phenomena, two-phase flow, and safety analysis for both fission and fusion reactor concepts. This Research position, is ideal for candidates interested in academic research, advanced modeling/experiments, and contributing to cutting-edge nuclear energy innovation.

Position Responsibilities:

The Research Associate will work closely with Dr. Sharma and graduate students to support ongoing and new research initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

• Conducting thermal-hydraulic analyses for advanced nuclear reactor systems (SFR, MSR, HTGR, MSTR, fusion blankets, Pb-Li/FLiBe systems, etc.).
• Performing CFD simulations using ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or other high-fidelity CFD tools.
• Developing and validating models for two-phase flow, tritium transport, heat transfer, and system-level behavior.
• Supporting experimental design, setup, and data analysis for thermal-hydraulic test facilities.
• Assisting with preparation of technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and proposals to DOE, industry, and federal agencies.
• Supervising and mentoring graduate/undergraduate researchers.
• Managing computational workflows and contributing to multi-physics modeling frameworks.

• Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or closely related fields.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Posted until filled.

University Information

Missouri S&T is a leading research university with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs.

With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T provides opportunities for high visibility and impactful careers.

KUMMER COLLEGE

Established in 2022, The Kummer College serves as a model for social impact, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration within a STEM-focused university. Supported by the Kummer Institute Foundation at Missouri S&T, this college integrates key academic, co-curricular, and administrative activities related to technology commercialization, business innovation and entrepreneurship, systems thinking, and economic development. Within The Kummer College lives several departments:
Department of Business and Information Technology (BIT), Department of Economics, Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering (EMSE) and Kummer Student Programs.

COLLEGE of ENGINEERING & COMPUTING (CEC)

Missouri S&T's College of Engineering and Computing is the largest of three colleges at S&T, accounting for approximately 80% of the total enrollment (about 4,500 undergraduates and 800 graduate students). The college includes more than 170 ranked faculty members who serve in 16 undergraduate programs, all with master’s and doctoral equivalents. The college recently added a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a Ph.D. in bioengineering.

Missouri S&T is nationally recognized for career outcomes and ROI.

COLLEGE of ARTS, SCIENCES, & EDUCATION (CASE)

The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education is a catalyst of innovation, creativity, and discovery, where students and faculty work side-by-side to create and share knowledge. CASE includes eleven units and over 90 tenured/tenure-track and 44 non-tenure-track faculty members. CASE offers more than 85 different academic options including certificates, minors, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

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