Fellowship Mentor and Manager (Space Nuclear)

About the role

This position will lead the day-to-day execution, mentorship, and technical coordination of the CSNR Summer Fellowship Program. This role is directly accountable for research quality, mentor coordination, team performance, and overall program delivery. This is a hands-on, on-site leadership role for a technically strong, highly organized professional who thrives in an intensive research environment and is committed to developing early-career talent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary on-site leader for the Fellowship Program.
  • Manage daily operations, schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
  • Ensure alignment between research activities, program objectives, and stakeholder expectations.
  • Maintain a structured, professional, and collaborative research environment.
• Lead and coordinate the mentoring framework for all fellows.
  • Provide direct technical and professional guidance.
  • Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration.
  • Prepare fellows for technical briefings and final presentations.
• Guide research across propulsion, mission architecture, and thermal systems.
  • Ensure rigor, integration across teams, and quality of final outputs.
• Coordinate with CSNR leadership and participating mentors.
  • Support engagement with NASA, DOE, AFRL national laboratory stakeholders, and academic partners.
  • Ensure professional representation of CSNR in all external interactions.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Experience leading or overseeing technically rigorous research efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and manage early-career researchers.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and able to secure a government security background investigation approval to secure appropriate access to government facilities.

Qualifications

• Preferred qualifications include:
  • Experience with NASA, DOE, or national laboratory programs.
  • Prior leadership of a student research program or fellowship.
  • Familiarity with space nuclear power or propulsion.
  • Active or eligible DOE Q Clearance; active clearance strongly preferred.

Benefits

Uncommon visibility and influence within the national space nuclear research community. The Mentor Manager works directly with subject matter experts from leading universities nationwide and engages with USRA’s Space Nuclear Committee, contributing to discussions that shape research priorities and future talent development. The position provides meaningful exposure to NASA and DOE stakeholders, national laboratory partners, and academic leaders, while serving as the central point of integration across fellows, mentors, and the broader space nuclear ecosystem. It offers a clear leadership platform for building professional credibility, expanding a national network, and exercising technical leadership in a mission-driven program.