R&D Staff II

Requisition Id 10723 

Overview: 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. We are currently seeking world class scientific staff for the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division within the National Security Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The R&D Associate 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. The Safeguards and Treaty Verification Section focuses on enhancing scientific concepts, strategies, and technologies that will strengthen the capabilities of USG and international regimes (e.g., the IAEA and partner countries) to safeguard and secure nuclear material, commodities, and technologies from proliferation, improve nuclear safety systems, and enhance treaty verification. The Nondestructive Measurement Science and Technology (NMST) Group focuses on research, development, and application of nondestructive assay systems, data acquisition technologies, and analysis methods that support international safeguards, domestic material control and accounting, operational safety for material processing, waste measurement, and nuclear material security protocols. An R&D Associate in NMST applies innovative solutions to address complex nuclear material measurement problems both domestically and abroad.  The R&D Associate is an early career scientist and/or engineer who applies their knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide NDA solutions to current and emerging nuclear nonprofileration challenges and who are steadily building a professional reputation within the scientific community. They have a good understanding of nuclear physics, nuclear material measurement principles and are developing technical abilities necessary to successfully apply NDA throughout the nuclear fuel cycle. They demonstrate initiative and creativity while providing ideas and solutions to project challenges and add value to technical projects with minimum supervision. The R&D Associate strives to be an independent researcher, contributes to and leads some technical tasks, provides input for technical deliverables, collaborates with project teams, and contributes to proposal writing.

 

The National Security Sciences Directorate 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 science and technology, and high-performance computing for sensitive national security missions. We draw on the Laboratory’s exceptional 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. Our multi-disciplinary research teams are passionate about discovery and innovation as we create science-based solutions to complex security threats that put public safety, national defense, energy infrastructure, and the economy at risk.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Initiate, lead and perform independent and impactful safeguards-related R&D on an ongoing basis as evidenced by, for example, innovative S&T delivered to sponsors, successful proposals, S&T presentations, professional community engagement, inventions/patents/copyrights, publications as appropriate, etc.
• Lead program development activities through sponsor engagements, preparation of proposals and white papers, participation in workshops, as well as other program development activities.
• Develop a vision and implement a cohesive research strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing research projects related to advanced safeguards science and technology to position the group for future success.
• Develop and implement plans to exploit new opportunities and/or expand existing efforts, specifically for advanced reactors.
• Lead by example by exercising scientific integrity in proposing, performing, and communicating research.
• Lead by example to 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.