Postdoctoral Research Associate - Scintillator-based Neutron Detectors

Requisition Id13704

Overview:

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. For more about ORNL see: https://www.youtube.com/user/OakRidgeNationalLab.

The Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) at ORNL operates the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), the United States' highest flux reactor based neutron source, and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), the world's most intense pulsed accelerator based neutron source. Together these facilities operate 30 instruments for neutron scattering research, each year carrying out in excess of 1,000 experiments in the physical, chemical, materials, biological and medical sciences for more than 3,000 visiting scientists. HFIR also provides unique facilities for isotope production and neutron irradiation. To learn more about Neutron Sciences at ORNL go to http://neutrons.ornl.gov.

Purpose:

The Neutron Instrument Technologies Section in the Neutron Technologies Division of NScD has an immediate opening for a post-doctoral research associate to work on the development of novel neutron detection techniques with scintillator-based neutron detectors and their applications to reflectometry and diffraction instruments. Your core research will involve the detector development and conducting its performance characterization through neutron scattering measurements on samples using the world-leading instruments at HFIR and SNS.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will join a research team of scientists, engineers, technicians and programmers to develop new detectors with high maximum count rates and position resolution and establish their applications for the study of advanced materials. The successful candidate will work with the Neutron Instrument Technologies Section, colleagues from other ORNL divisions, and university partners to:

• Develop novel scintillators conceptsfor high resolution neutron detectors that meet SNS and HFIR instruments requirements.
• Maintain effective communications concerning scientific efforts internal and external to the laboratory, including publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and presentation of results at scientific meetings.
• Collaborate with other scientists and technical personnel in a fast-paced, flexible work environment.
• Develop software required for the operation of the detector and data analysis, using Python or C/C++.
• Publish results in scientific journals, conference proceedings and ORNL technical reports as appropriate and present results at appropriate national and international conferences.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality program requirements.
• Maintain strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
• 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:

• Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, nuclear engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field completed within the last 5 years.
• Must be willing to work in a team environment on technically and scientifically challenging topics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in neutron (or X-ray) detector development techniques.
• A strong background in scintillators for neutron detection would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience in the development of novel techniques as well as a demonstrated proficiency in computer programming and data acquisition.
• An understanding of signal processing and programmable logic.
• The candidate should be self-motivated, have good interpersonal, communication, and presentational skills, and a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with research staff at all levels and to work within a multi-disciplinary team.

Special Requirements:

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.

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

Benefits at ORNL:

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for 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.

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.