Senior Coated Particle Fuel Qualification Scientist

Requisition Id 15029 

 

Overview:

ORNL is the largest science and energy laboratory in the US Department of Energy. We are driven by our shared purpose to meet the world’s biggest challenges with intelligence, creativity, and teamwork.

 

Join the ORNL Particle Fuel Fabrication (PFF) Group as a highly motivated individual with expertise in fabrication, characterization, and qualification of coated particle nuclear fuels. The PFF group is dedicated to driving innovation in coated particle fuel technologies for various nuclear applications. The Coated Particle Fuel Development Laboratory (CPFDL) serves as the central facility for the PFF group's research and development, housing advanced capabilities for coated particle research.

 

We are looking for candidates who have experience in the development of coated particle fuel concepts, particularly in established tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel designs and experience developing new fuel architectures and materials. The chosen candidate will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between ORNL coated particle research and development activities with industrial partners. They will help develop program plans and execute research efforts tailored to meet the specific requirements of our diverse clientele and lead teams associated with carrying out critical fuel characterization and testing and quality assurance (QA) to support fuel qualification. The candidate will innovate in fuel characterization and testing to adapt to emerging needs in coated particle fuel technology. Other areas of focus include adapting existing QA approaches to novel and emerging fuel forms. The role will also include connecting front-end property evaluation to irradiation performance in existing and emerging irradiation campaigns to develop an understanding of critical property constraints influencing establishment of fuel specifications and expansion of coated particle fuel operational envelopes. Additionally, they will be responsible for presenting research findings at meetings and conferences and leading academic publications and programmatic reporting. Mentoring junior staff and collaborating with management for research guidance is also part of the role.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Implement and develop fabrication and QA methods to produce coated particle fuel forms with an emphasis on compact and pebble development.

• Apply advanced characterization techniques to detail processing-structure-property correlations for nuclear fuel and matrix materials.

• Collaborate with staff from different fields to develop and deploy instruments, including providing training and developing standard operating procedures.

• Train staff in the accurate use and technique of specialized characterization and fabrication equipment.

• Design and set up radiological lab spaces for the sample preparation and characterization.

• Serve as a primary contact with sponsors and collaborators to develop programs, technical work scope and communicate results of R&D activities.

• Lead technical publications and conference presentations in the field of nuclear fuel materials.

• Perform work according to specific rules and requirements for quality assurance, nuclear material control, radiological work, and general laboratory safety.

• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, or related disciplines and at least 6 years’ related experience.