Group Lead- Materials Modeling and Simulations

Does a career focused on changing the world's energy future intrigue you? If so, we might have just the opportunity you're looking for!

Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) Department is seeking forward-thinking, professionals interested in exploring a career as a Materials Modeling and Simulations Group Lead!

The candidate will perform independent theoretical and applied materials engineering, development, and performance research. These areas include:

• Computational mechanics of heterogeneous solids
• Strain deformation theories
• Crystal plasticity-based homogenization
• Finite element and/or spectral methods
• Modeling and simulation (M&S) of materials behavior with direct input and/or direct validation from established and/or emerging characterization methods for polycrystalline materials (2-D EBSD, 3-D FIB-EBSD, XRD, neutron diffraction, 3-D XRD, etc.)
• Bridging of continuum-level formulations with lower-length scales models (dislocation dynamics, molecular dynamics, etc.).
• M&S of irradiation induced material deformation and hardening.
• Mastery of multi-scale, physics-based model development.

Roles and responsibilities for this position include:

This position also provides technical, strategic, and human capital leadership to the M&S group within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) of the Energy and Environment Science and Technology (EES&T) directorate. The M&S group supervises and leads the research, development and deployment (RD&D) associated with M&S and computational analyses related to materials discovery, design, properties, characteristics and performance. As an integral part of the MSE department, this group assists in integrating/incorporating modeling, simulations and computational analyses into every aspect of materials discovery, design, properties, characteristics and performance quantifications. Group leadership duties are expected to constitute 20-30% of effort, while the remainder of effort will be dedicated to technical work.

• Identify internal and external synergetic collaborations between modeling and experimental activities essential to partners.
• Build teams and enhance the skills of staff through mentoring, training, and assuming leadership responsibilities in MSE.
• Direct and lead decision-making on large scale projects.
• Coordinate efforts related to implementing different models developed at INL for engineering applications.
• Direct and contribute to the completion of project goals and objectives.
• A leader in goal setting, planning, and overall direction, including the preparation of new proposals and business development opportunities.
• Initiating new research programs.
• Coordinate and supervise the work of others.

Group leadership responsibilities include:

• Attending and conducting meetings, providing department information, approving timesheets, etc., in the absence of the Department Manager.
• Providing input on quarterly staff performance evaluations, critical feedback, personal goal setting, and career development.
• Assisting in creating, updating, and executing strategic group and department plans.
• Overseeing talent development, recruiting key new staff, retaining existing staff, and identifying professional growth opportunities for group members.
• Ensuring work is executed safely, efficiently, within budget parameters, and appropriate scope.
• Developing and maintaining the group's existing technical capability base, identifying, building new group capabilities associated with the mission area, acquiring and executing technical programs.
• Providing leadership for the group, coordinating, and aligning group activities with departmental and EES&T goals
• Providing weekly department updates and development of presentation material for potential internal and external customers.
• Proficiency in modeling at more than one of these length-scales is an expectation in this role:
• Atomic, micro, meso or continuum-level (with emphasis on crystal-based and microstructure-sensitive approaches for polycrystalline materials with experimental integration).

Minimum Requirements:

• PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Solid-State Physics, or related field.
• 10 years of post-PhD experience in materials related computational analyses/modeling and simulations activities
• Established reputation and relationships with national and international researchers
• A track record of collaborations between modeling and experimental activities where researcher has worked.
• History of consistently meeting goals where the researcher has previously or currently worked.
• Demonstrated experience building and leading teams while enhancing the skills of staff through active mentoring and training.
• Experience serving as the lead in technical decision-making and direction for large-scale projects.
• Background of high quality research in material modeling at the atomic, micro, meso or continuum-level with an emphasis on crystal-based and microstructure-sensitive approaches for polycrystalline materials with experimental integration.
• Experience conceiving and developing multi-disciplinary research projects on structure/property relationships of materials
• Experience in materials characterization, new materials development, neutron irradiation effects, physical metallurgy, and materials characterization techniques

Preferred Requirements:

• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication
• Familiarity with National Laboratory programs
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries
• Record of dedication to safe, secure and environmentally sound operations
• An established record of achievement through reports, publications, intellectual property, or technical products
• Experience leading technical projects and teams to success

Job Information

• Salary Grade: 220

INL Overview:

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 5,000 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and development technologies that underpin the nation's nuclear and renewable energy, national security, and environmental missions.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Women and People of Color are strongly encouraged to apply.

COVID Safety Protocols:

As a condition of employment, Idaho National Laboratory will inquire about COVID vaccination status and expects candidates to comply with all required COVID safety protocols, including mask-wearing as applicable. If safety protocols evolve to include mandatory vaccinations, Idaho National Laboratory will require compliance with such vaccine mandates subject to applicable protections under State and Federal Law.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

Benefits & Salary:

We have an extremely competitive salary structure, robust relocation package, and phenomenal benefits. For more information, please visit: https://www.inl.gov/careers/benefits-overview/. .

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