Dynamic System Modeling - Associate R&D Staff Member

Requisition Id 13681 

 

­­Overview:

The Advanced Reactor Engineering and Development (ARED) Section in the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division (NEFCD) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking am R&D Associate Staff Member to join our team. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the development, qualification, and deployment of dynamic system models, methodologies, and system-based engineering best practices. The primary focus will be on thermal-fluid, nuclear, and control analyses for energy systems. 

 

As an integral member of the Advanced Reactor Systems group, you will play a vital role in enhancing our system analysis capabilities for advanced reactor concepts. This involves evaluating reactor performance and assessing the impact of modern technologies on cost-competitiveness of nuclear energy and developing physics-based digital twins for various energy and science technologies.

 

 Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Work with experienced staff to develop dynamic models of mixed thermal-fluid, nuclear, and advanced control systems.
• Build digital twins of existing and new hardware systems in coordination with hands-on engineers and technicians.
• Support integrated multi-physics simulation of nuclear energy systems, scientific infrastructure, and novel integrated energy systems.
• Develop reduced-order calibration approaches to allow for optimization and real-time simulation and integration to hardware systems.
• Complete simulation verification, model validation, uncertainty quantification, and documentation.
• Lead in the development of a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach inside the research environment.
• 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 fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in nuclear, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or chemical engineering or engineering physics. or a related field.
• 1+ year of relevant postdoctoral research experience.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in applying and extending one-dimensional thermal-fluid system modeling and simulation tools.
• Experience with Modelica language for component-oriented modeling of complex engineering systems.
• Background in applied programming and knowledge of Python or similar other scripting languages.
• Knowledge of data acquisition systems or edge hardware.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory .
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

 

Special Requirement:

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

 

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Departmen