Postdoctoral Research Associate - Molten Salt Characterization

Requisition Id 15105 

Overview: 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.

The Nuclear and Extreme Environments Measurements (NEEM) Group within the Fuel Development Section (FDS), Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division (NEFCD), Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), seeks applicants for a post-doctoral position with emphasis in experimental and theoretical molten salt characterization. The NEEM group fabricates and qualifies experiments for reactor components, systems, and materials. This group focuses on the development of extreme environment experiments impacting technology maturation, characterizing performance and properties of nuclear fuels and materials, and generate the data to advance physical modeling and simulation.

The primary function of this open position is to perform and optimize molten salt thermophysical property measurements, develop and utilize theoretical models and frameworks to predict salt properties, molten salt thermophysical property database expansion and development, and dissemination of data and findings at conference presentations and through reports and journal publications.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform high temperature measurements of density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity of molten salts.
• Analyze and assess recent and legacy thermophysical property data, compile and organize into large database files
• Use various experimental and analytical methods to ensure and determine purity of samples being used for molten salt property measurements
• Leverage database of thermophysical properties and theoretical modeling frameworks to generate molten salt property predictions
• Attend conferences, publish journal articles, prepare reports for sponsors, communicate lab capabilities with on-site visitors

Qualifications Required:

• Candidates must have a PhD in chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, or another relevant field.
• Experience in designing and conducting high temperature experiments for property characterization, high temperature effects testing, or extreme environment effects testing.
• Ability to draft high quality technical documents and give technical talks to the scientific community.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, or other similar languages for data analysis, model testing, and database development.

Qualifications Desired:

• Previous experience with experimental molten salt characterization, which may include thermophysical characterization, thermochemical characterization, purification, compositional analysis, or corrosion testing.
• Demonstrable understanding of molten salt chemistry, which may include concepts such as corrosion mechanisms, phase equilibria, coordination environments, relationship between molecular structure and macroscopic properties, and effects of impurities on macroscopic properties.

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Special Requirements:

• Export Control: 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.
• Visa sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov (For postdocs, use Postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov) with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing 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.

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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.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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.