Engineering Scientist Associate - Data Analytics for Nuclear Engineering Application

Job Posting Title:

Engineering Scientist Associate - Data Analytics for Nuclear Engineering Application

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Hiring Department:

Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

Applications are invited for multiple Engineering Scientist Associate positions with a focus on data analytics of operational data from a nuclear reactor in support of the development of digital twins and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.  These positions in the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering program, at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) are to categorize, label, and comprehend real-time, and time-delayed, data streams from the operating nuclear reactor on UT’s J.J. Pickle Research Campus as part of the Digital Molten Salt Reactor Initiative (D’MSRI).

This position is based on currently available funding that will continue through August 31, 2027.  Extensions beyond this time are possible, based on the availability of funding.

Purpose

The Digital Molten Salt Reactor Initiative (D’MSRI) is a program funded by the state of Texas to develop a long-term research program at UT that centers on the use of digital twins to enable the licensing of innovations for advanced reactors in Texas.  This project includes a suite of initiatives that include the development of digital twins for physical systems at many institutions, development of high-fidelity, multiphysics software that models advanced reactors, economic and policy drivers that may be implemented at the state and national level to encourage innovation in advanced reactors, and business development to engage with the nuclear industry to enable them to recognize the value of digital twins. 

Responsibilities

• Data analysis of real-time (measured and simulated) data on-site at the nuclear reactor
• Data analysis of simulated data generated on the high-performance computers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center
• Incorporation of automated tagging of operator and experimenter actions that impact reactor operation
• Database management of the measured and simulated data using SQL or similar tools
• Statistical analysis of measured and simulated data using R, Python, and similar
• Development of reduced order and bias correction models based on the operational and simulated data
• Development of Python software for automated data analysis
• Communication of the data to improve utilization by reactor operators, users of the reactor for experiments, nuclear software developers, and education of the general public.

Required Qualifications

• A BS in mathematics, data science, computational science, or a related field;
• Experience using Python for data analysis; and
• Understanding of foundational with data analytics methods.

Preferred Qualifications

• US citizenship is preferred due to access requirements at the nuclear reactor
• Experience using or creating data analytics software for nuclear systems
• Experience using modern software development practices, facilities, and programming.

Salary Range

$70,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Work in an academic research environment.
• Working in lab environment.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Required Materials

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• 3 work references with their contact information
• Letter of interest addressed to Dr. Clarno that includes a 100-200 word narrative of experience with nuclear analysis software and contact information for three academic and/or professional references

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before subm