Requisition Id 11892 

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 a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will support the Isotope Applications Research Group (IARG) in the Radioisotope Science and Technology Division (RSTD), Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the areas of optical spectroscopy and process monitoring. Specifically, this role involves the implementation of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and multivariate modeling.

Established in 2020, the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate is strengthening Oak Ridge National Laboratory's leadership in isotope production and enrichment technology innovation. ISED is guiding the Lab's pursuit of the fundamental science and technology that broadens the application of isotopes for energy, environmental, medical, and national security purposes. These efforts are made possible through the High Flux Isotope Reactor, the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center, ORNL's other nuclear facilities, and an assemblage of world-leading scientists and engineers.  Please visit https://www.ornl.gov/directorate/isotopes for more information about ISED.

The IARG is involved in advancing radioisotope applications for medical, industrial, research and national security applications. RSTD is a global leader in actinide science, delivering innovations in isotope production technology, enabling ORNL to produce and rapidly deliver radioisotopes for science, medicine, industry, and security. The IARG works closely with other groups within the RSTD as well as researchers in other directorates across ORNL to deliver on our R&D mission. This position within the IARG will support ongoing R&D efforts related to using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for molten salt systems. This will include constructing molten salt experimental systems, assembling, and testing a mobile LIBS cart on various experimental systems, calibrating multivariate LIBS models, and disseminating results for reports/peer reviewed publications. The candidate may also support other synergistic LIBS efforts across the lab as the opportunity arises. The successful candidate will work with experienced scientists, engineers, and technicians to support R&D efforts in these areas with a focus on exploring new and improving existing optical spectroscopy approaches.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Design novel LIBS based measurement systems for molten salt experiments
• Collect spectral data sets and build multivariate regression models
• Implement experimental approaches, perform complex optical measurements, execute the necessary analysis, and interpret experimental results
• Participate in project planning and execution
• Publish innovations, findings and reports in relevant conferences, journals, and symposia.
• Participate in project reviews, including presenting to internal and external technical review committees.
• Ensure compliance with Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H) and QA requirements.
• As a member of the ORNL scientific community, you will be expected to commit to ORNL's Research Code of Conduct. Our full code of conduct, and a statement by the Lab Director's office can be found here: https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity
• 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 or Nuclear Engineering, or Computer Science with an emphasis in Analytical Chemistry or Spectroscopy, 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 with laser-based systems
• Previous experience with performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and/or chemometrics
• Evidence of experience in experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation through peer-reviewed publications
• A demonstrated ability and hands-on experience with safe handling of highly radioactive samples
• Research relevant to nuclear science, molten salts, optical spectroscopy, or multivariate chemometrics
• Experience with machine learning concepts
• Research in the applications of advanced optical spectroscopy techniques for monitoring chemical systems
• Experience with training or teaching
• Experience with data analytics (e.g., Python), specifically handling large and complex data sets to understand observed phenomena
• 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:

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.