Nuclear Criticality Safety - Distinguished R&D Staff

Requisition Id 13759 

 

This is a full-time, limited term position for a period of 24 months, with the potential for extension.

 

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is looking for a talented research leader to fill the role of Nuclear Criticality Safety Distinguished R&D Staff Scientist. This position involves using computational nuclear modeling, experimental expertise, and practical applications to provide problem-solving tools and technical solutions to Department of Energy customers. You would be part of the Nuclear Criticality Safety Group within the Nuclear Criticality, Radiation Transport, and Safety Section of the NEFCD.

 

Join our research team to contribute your expertise in nuclear criticality safety, knowledge of nuclear data, and experience in critical experiments design and reactor physics. You will be involved in managing and evaluating critical experiments for international databases and enhancing key codes in the SCALE code system.

We are looking for a motivated, self-starter who can work independently and contribute to collaborative teams. You should be able to thrive in a fast-paced research environment, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing needs.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage complex research projects centered around design and evaluation of critical experiments, criticality safety, advancing theoretical models, simulation tools, and practical safety solutions.

• Performing applied research and development in the area of nuclear criticality safety, including design, manage, and evaluate critical experiments at research reactors or critical experiment facilities.

• Independently solving technical problems for research and development projects in the area of nuclear criticality safety.

• Drive advanced research in criticality safety, including neutron transport modeling, probabilistic risk assessments, and safety code development.

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, scientists, and regulatory bodies, to offer mentorship and expertise on nuclear safety.

• Assisting in the development, testing, and maintenance of the SCALE code system.

• Prepare detailed technical reports, safety analyses, and white papers for internal and external collaborators, contributing and advancing the reputation of the group in criticality safety.

• Guide team members in crafting, assessing, and detailing critical experiments.

• Promote the section to establish opportunities and collaborations with federal sponsors, strategic partners, and internal programs.

• 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 encouraging a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or related field with specialization in criticality safety, reactor physics, or neutron transport.

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in nuclear criticality safety and/or reactor physics, with a strong focus on research and development.

• Experience in nuclear system modeling and simulation, Monte Carlo simulations, radiation transport, and nuclear safety code development (e.g., MCNP, SCALE).

• Expertise in design, execution management, evaluation, and documentation of critical experiments.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in design, execution management, and evaluation of critical experiments for publication in international databases such as the Nuclear Energy Agency projects I