Senior Research Scientist - Nuclear Materials and Radiation Effects

Requisition Id 15589 

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) invites applications for a senior scientist position to advance collaborative research and technology development in materials for extreme environments, with an emphasis at the intersection of fundamental materials science of radiation effects and defect-deformation interactions, fission and fusion structural materials, nuclear fuel innovation, and materials research capability expansion. This position resides in the Radiation Effects and Microstructural Analysis Group (REMAG) within the Materials in Extremes Section, Materials Science and Technology Division, Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Working in support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES), Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), and Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES), as well as with other government, industry, educational, and other external stakeholders, this position will apply advanced expertise in radiation and related materials sciences to drive innovation and lead next-generation materials research initiatives for fusion, fission, and other extreme environments. The incumbent will also contribute to the strategic planning and execution of efforts supporting the expansion, modernization, and integration of nuclear materials development, irradiated materials testing, and post-irradiation examination facilities and capabilities. The selected candidate may also serve as Principal Investigator for the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) Laboratory, ensuring programmatic alignment with ORNL’s long-term strategic objectives for nuclear energy research and development.

The successful candidate will play a central role in bridging fundamental and applied materials research, enabling transformative advances in fusion and fission energy systems through foundational studies of radiation effects in materials, microstructural evolution, and performance under extreme conditions. This position represents a critical leadership opportunity to strengthen ORNL’s role as a national resource in nuclear materials science, advancing the DOE mission to achieve clean energy innovation, energy security, and scientific excellence.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Act as a leader in scientific research and capability expansion for advanced nuclear materials and radiation effects in materials science.
• Directly contribute to the laboratory’s vision of advancing breakthrough fusion and fission energy systems that are pivotal to the nation’s energy future.
• Develop new projects and programs by leveraging capabilities in experimental design, complex data analysis, technology and process development, and effective communication of findings through reports and presentations.
• Lead advanced research by applying scientific principles to engineer innovative solutions, mentor junior staff, ensure compliance with standards, manage budgets, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners.
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of organizational values and ethics.
• Advance 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, collaborate, and define success.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Nuclear Engineering (focus on Materials), or a closely related field.
• A minimum of six years of research experience post PhD in relevant field.
• Experience in at least one leadership position within a scientific research project or research team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership experience in scientific research, such as serving as a program or project manager, with a record of mentoring early-career researchers, postdoctoral associates, or graduate students.
• Extensive experience in the post-irradiation examination of radioactive structural, fuel, or other functional materials, or in the analysis of materials behavior in nuclear environments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by a strong record of peer reviewed publications and presentations.
• Demonstrated track record of successful proposal writing and securing research grants via competitive DOE NOFOs or calls from other agencies
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and contribute creatively within collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams across the laboratory.
• Proven ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities, manage multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to evolving program needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance immediately or within a reasonable timeframe.

Letters of Recommendation:

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to psdrecruit@ornl.gov.

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

Special Requirements:

• Export control, no clearance: 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.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

• If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.
• Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

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.

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.