Senior Research Professional Staff - Nuclear Economist

Requisition Id 12967 

Overview:  

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

 

We are currently seeking world class scientific staff for the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) within the National Security Sciences Directorate (NSSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The NSSD conducts research and development to confront some of the nation’s most difficult security challenges and adversaries. In addition to nuclear nonproliferation, our directorate also houses science and technology (S&T) leadership in cybersecurity and cyber-physical resiliency, data analytics, geospatial S&T, and high-performance computing for sensitive national security missions. We draw on the Laboratory’s outstanding facilities and work closely with leading researchers in other S&T areas at the lab such as nuclear and chemical sciences and engineering, nuclear fuel cycle and reactor systems, modern nuclear instrumentation and controls, applied materials, advanced manufacturing and intelligent systems, biosecurity, transportation, modeling and simulation, and computing.

 

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Division is seeking a Senior Research Professional Staff member to develop and apply innovative solutions to complex nuclear nonproliferation problems through economic analysis of multiple aspects of nuclear materials management, both domestically and abroad. This position affords the unique opportunity to work with a group of talented professionals and help establish ORNL as a premier R&D organization by enabling true impact on critical national security missions through a team-based approach and commitment to excellence. We are seeking an experienced economist with demonstrated competency and extensive knowledge of the Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation landscape and how it is applied across the nuclear fuel cycle.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Initiate, lead and perform independent and impactful safeguards-related R&D on an ongoing basis.
• Lead program development activities through sponsor engagements, preparation of proposals and white papers, participation in workshops, etc.
• Develop and implement plans to exploit new opportunities and/or expand existing efforts (i.e.) in the economics of nuclear nonproliferation.
• Ensure all work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL policies, standards, and procedures.
• Exemplify a commitment to excellence in research, operations, and community engagement, and work cooperatively to leverage scientific capabilities across ORNL.
• Establish collaborations, professional society leadership and involvement, and organize technical events to advance the reputation of NND

 

All team members deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in economics, finance, or a related field and six (6) years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience leading technical projects and teams as principal investigator.
• Experience developing and analyzing nonproliferation methodologies/processes throughout the global nuclear industry.
• Proven track record and recognition of technical expertise across international organizations.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle.
• Demonstrated ability to present scientific information to sponsors, partners, and/or technical communities.
• Experience working for or collaborating with DOE National Laboratories (or similar R&D organizations).
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver technical analysis and/or curricula.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated leadership ability and a stro