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. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov or call 1.866.963.9545.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.