Nuclear Criticality Safety - Distinguished R&D Staff

Requisition Id13759

This is a full-time, limited term position for a period of 24 months, with the potential for extension.

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is looking for a talented research leader to fill the role of Nuclear Criticality Safety Distinguished R&D Staff Scientist. This position involves using computational nuclear modeling, experimental expertise, and practical applications to provide problem-solving tools and technical solutions to Department of Energy customers. You would be part of the Nuclear Criticality Safety Group within the Nuclear Criticality, Radiation Transport, and Safety Section of the NEFCD.

Join our research team to contribute your expertise in nuclear criticality safety, knowledge of nuclear data, and experience in critical experiments design and reactor physics. You will be involved in managing and evaluating critical experiments for international databases and enhancing key codes in the SCALE code system.

We are looking for a motivated, self-starter who can work independently and contribute to collaborative teams. You should be able to thrive in a fast-paced research environment, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing needs.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage complex research projects centered around design and evaluation of critical experiments, criticality safety, advancing theoretical models, simulation tools, and practical safety solutions.

• Performing applied research and development in the area of nuclear criticality safety, including design, manage, and evaluate critical experiments at research reactors or critical experiment facilities.

• Independently solving technical problems for research and development projects in the area of nuclear criticality safety.

• Drive advanced research in criticality safety, including neutron transport modeling, probabilistic risk assessments, and safety code development.

• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, scientists, and regulatory bodies, to offer mentorship and expertise on nuclear safety.

• Assisting in the development, testing, and maintenance of the SCALE code system.

• Prepare detailed technical reports, safety analyses, and white papers for internal and external collaborators, contributing and advancing the reputation of the group in criticality safety.

• Guide team members in crafting, assessing, and detailing critical experiments.

• Promote the section to establish opportunities and collaborations with federal sponsors, strategic partners, and internal programs.

• 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 encouraging a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or related field with specialization in criticality safety, reactor physics, or neutron transport.

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in nuclear criticality safety and/or reactor physics, with a strong focus on research and development.

• Experience in nuclear system modeling and simulation, Monte Carlo simulations, radiation transport, and nuclear safety code development (e.g., MCNP, SCALE).

• Expertise in design, execution management, evaluation, and documentation of critical experiments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in design, execution management, and evaluation of critical experiments for publication in international databases such as the Nuclear Energy Agency projects ICSBEP (International Criticality Safety Benchmark Projects) and IRPhE (International Reactor Physics Experiments).

• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.

• Strong portfolio of peer-reviewed publications and technical contributions in nuclear criticality safety and reactor physics, reflecting collaborative research experience in academia, industry, and government agencies.

• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines and adapt to changing needs.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Experience with MCNP and/or SCALE code systems

• Experience in two or more of the following areas:

  • Critical experiment design and experiment evaluation

  • Methods, approaches, and technical bases for criticality safety of fissile material

  • Sensitivity/uncertainty studies

  • Criticality calculation validation techniques

  • Familiarity with nuclear data evaluation procedures and nuclear data processing

  • Development and testing of nuclear modeling and simulation software and/or the associated nuclear data

  • Nuclear criticality safety working groups and the international community

  • DOE NCS Program and NRC activities

About ORNL:

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 7,000 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.

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 or call 1.866.963.9545.

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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.