Requisition Id 11690 

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.

We are seeking up to two Postdoctoral Research Associates who will support the Fuel Cycle Chemical Technology (FCCT) Research Group in the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division (NEFCD), at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In this position, you will develop advanced processing techniques that   enables used nuclear fuel to be converted to stable and reusable forms through studies with surrogate materials. The work will utilize wet chemical techniques, materials characterization, and flow sheet development. You will work with engineers to advance the technology toward engineering (pilot) scale, including minimize challenges associated with larger scale processes. The FCCT Research Group investigates uranium process chemistry, alternative processing methodologies, waste form development, and off-gas treatment in support of advanced reactor technology, as well as industrial, research and national security applications.

FCCT is a national leader in chemical separation of actinides and other nuclear materials. We demonstrate novel separations that will benefit the US in the areas of reduction of nuclear waste and enabling advanced reactor technologies. 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Perform wet chemical and/or gas phase separations involving inorganic materials that may include uranium and other actinides, as well as low-level radionuclides and surrogates.
• Perform and/or direct characterization of products of these separations.
• Implement experimental approaches, execute the necessary analysis, interpret experimental results.
• Participate in project planning and execution.
• Publish innovations and findings in reports, peer-reviewed publications, and present at conferences.
• Participate in project reviews, including presenting to internal and external reviewers.
• Ensure compliance with Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H) and QA requirements.
• 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:

• A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field completed within the last 5 years.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in inorganic synthesis, chemical separations, or process engineering.
• Evidence of experience in experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation, documented in peer-reviewed publications.
• Research relevant to spent fuel processing or waste form development.
• Ability to handle radioactive contamination.
• Characterization, i.e., optical spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopic analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or optical emission spectroscopy, etc.
• Familiarity with glass reactor, pressurized system, and electrical safety requirements.
• 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.

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 for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can 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: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, 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 .

Special Requirements:

Visa Sponsorship:

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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.

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.