Research Associate, Plasma Boundary and Divertor Physics

Requisition Id15184

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. We are seeking a Research Associate (RP02) who will support the Plasma Exhaust and Particle Control (PEPC) Group in the Fusion Energy Division, Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate.

The staff member will be responsible for conducting modeling and experimental studies to measure and predict the incident heat fluxes to plasma facing components (PFCs) in toroidal confinement experiments in pursuit of 1) Determining the overall power balance in each facility, 2) Develop and test new, optimized PFC designs, and 3) Developing operating scenarios to optimize plasma performance in compact fusion devices. These studies will combine leading computational codes with experimental measurements on multiple confinement facilities: primarily the ST40 spherical tokamak (ST) located in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, UK as well as MAST-U (Abingdon, UK) and NSTX-U (Princeton, NJ).

This position is located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. Travel to domestic and international facilities to conduct experiments and interact with fusion researchers and ORNL colleagues is expected to occupy up to 25% of staff time.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Computational modeling of the heat deposited onto PFCs due to steady-state and transient plasma heating.
• Development, execution, and analysis of experimental studies including comparisons with simulation results.
• Support of ORNL diagnostic hardware located at various off-site confinement facilities such as Infrared (IR) Thermography, Optical spectroscopy for PFC erosion measurements as well as Langmuir Probe analysis.
• Collaboration with a broad and diverse team, including experimental and computational colleagues.
• Timely dissemination of research results through publications and presentations at scientific conferences and workshops.
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field completed within the last 5 years.
• Experience in computational modeling, experimental research, or both.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, or other relevant scientific programming languages.
• Scientific research ability demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and/or presentations at technical conferences.
• Strong interest in contributing to the pursuit of fusion energy to enable a sustainable future.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Existing experience in Edge Localized Mode (ELM) and/or heat transfer modeling, and general proficiency in the execution and coupling of scientific codes.
• Experience in Computer Aided Design (CAD) and modeling.
• Experience with OpenFOAM or other finite-element heat transfer codes

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.

Relocation:
Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the "About" tab athttps://jobs.ornl.gov.

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.