Senior R&D Staff - Nuclear Fuel Cycle Management Analyst

Requisition Id 14923 

 

Overview:

We are seeking a senior researcher with a nuclear engineering background to focus on applications related to storage, transportation, management of spent nuclear fuel, nuclear fuel cycle, and high-level radioactive materials.  This position resides in the Nuclear Materials Packaging, Transportation, and Systems Analysis (NMPTSA) group in the Integrated Fuel Cycle Section, Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, and Fusion and Fission and Science Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  

 

Purpose:

Provide research and development leadership to the group that strategically advances the science and technology with ORNL’s aspirations to be the world’s premier R&D institution and ORNL’s science culture. The senior R&D researcher brings together a group of peers with the primary goal of pursuing global scientific leadership in their field, nurtures ORNL’s culture among project participants, and continues to build and scale individual excellence and impact in R&D.

 

The senior researcher reports to and works closely with the R&D group leader to support the group’s and sections scientific vision; performs R&D to advance the field of knowledge and/or technology in one’s respective specialty; sets, implements, and models standards for performance of work consistent with Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) requirements and business rules; and ensures a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, and appreciated—a workplace that sets an example for the broader community.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Research

• Scientists/engineers/analysts are recognized leaders in their area of technical expertise, especially in testing, mechanical engineering analysis/design/evaluations, material science, fracture modeling, and additive manufacturing.

• Initiate, lead and perform independent and impactful R&D on an ongoing basis as evidenced by, innovative science and technology (S&T) delivered to sponsors, successful proposals, S&T presentations, professional community engagement, inventions/patents/copyrights, publications as appropriate, etc.

• Some of the research or projects in the group includes:

  • Spent nuclear fuel management, evaluations, and aging management

  • Develop digital twin models for spent nuclear fuel at independent storage facilities

  • Fracture evaluations, measurements, predictions, and mitigation of dual-purpose canisters

  • Mechanical engineering analysis using finite elements of various mechanical assemblies and components when subjected to static, non-linear loads, dynamic, thermal, and/or seismic loads

  • Regulatory destructive testing of Type A, Type B, and special form capsules

  • Additive manufacturing

 

Leadership

• Develop and implement plans for new opportunities and/or expand existing efforts.

• Provide relevant input to assist the R&D Group Leader with staff development while providing direct and impactful guidance to staff on a regular basis.

• Attract a quality, diverse pool of top candidates to help the R&D Group Leader to hire staff members who are committed to world-class R&D and aspire to be the best in their field.

• Lead by example by exercising the principles in ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct” as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research.

• Coach and mentor staff regarding Battelle’s “Safe Conduct of Research” principles.

• Ensure all work