Postdoctoral Research Associate - Advanced Reactor Core Materials Characterization
Knoxville Technology Council · Oak Ridge, TN · 1 mo ago
AnalystFull-time
We need to output HTML fragment with sections: About the role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Pay, Schedule. Only include sections that have real specific content. Must not repeat job title. Must not include Job ID etc. Must preserve all substantive info. Remove boilerplate: cookie/navigation/legal/EEO/equal-opportunity/scam-warning, duplicated lines, application instructions. Also remove "Letters Of Recommendation" maybe considered application instructions? It's part of application instructions; we should remove. Also remove "Instructions To Upload Documents To Your Candidate Profile". Also remove "Special Requirements" maybe? It includes physical requirements, visa sponsorship, etc. Those are substantive? Might be considered requirements? The instruction says to include sections only when posting has real specific content. We have content about responsibilities, qualifications, preferred qualifications, benefits, etc. We need to map to headings: About the role (overview), Responsibilities (Major Duties/Responsibilities), Requirements (Basic Qualifications), Qualifications (Preferred Qualifications?), Skills (maybe combine proficiency), Benefits (benefits list), Pay (not mentioned), Schedule (not mentioned). So we should not include Pay or Schedule sections because not stated. Also maybe include a section for "Special Requirements"? Not in list; we could fold into Requirements or Qualifications? The instruction says use headings only from given list. So we cannot add extra headings. So we need to place relevant info under appropriate headings. For "Special Requirements" like physical requirements, visa sponsorship not available, PIV card, background check, etc. Those could go under Requirements or Qualifications? Probably under Requirements (basic qualifications) or maybe under a separate section but not allowed. We could incorporate into Requirements as a list. However the instruction says "Use for section headings (e.g. About the role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Pay, Schedule)." It doesn't forbid other headings? It says use
for section headings (e.g. About the role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Pay, Schedule)." It doesn't forbid other headings? It says use for section headings (e.g. ...). Likely they expect only those headings. So we should not add other headings. We'll embed that info under Requirements or Qualifications as appropriate.
We need to preserve all substantive information. So we must include details about responsibilities, basic qualifications, preferred qualifications, skills, benefits, etc. Also include overview about ORNL and role.
We must not include boilerplate like equal opportunity, EEO, etc. Also remove "This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days..." etc. Also remove "We accept Word ..." etc. Also remove "ORNL is an equal opportunity employer..." etc. Also remove "UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer." Also remove "Letters Of Recommendation" and instructions.
We need to output only HTML fragment, no markdown fences.
Let's craft:
About the role
About the role
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will aid the research staff in understanding the synergistic effects of various degradation phenomena of nuclear reactor fuel cladding and core internal materials. This position resides in the Fuel Cladding and Core Internals (FCCI) Group in the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate at ORNL. The FCCI Group applies modern materials science to design, develop, optimize, and test advanced materials that will accelerate the deployment of higher performance nuclear energy systems. As part of the research team, you will assess the viability of accelerated irradiation methodologies as well as subsized mechanical testing methodologies on highly irradiated materials (either using ions or research reactor irradiation data) for establishing performance envelopes for materials to be deployed in advanced reactors. Efforts would in-part utilize the instrumentation and expertise available through the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis Laboratory (LAMDA). The selected individual will be encouraged to engage with staff within the FCCI group, the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division and across the laboratory to foster a vibrant research atmosphere to grow capabilities and drive innovation. Metrics for success will include scientific output, disseminating results at national and international conferences and other technical meetings, and delivering on programmatic milestones.
Responsibilities
- Utilize techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for microstructural characterization of materials.
- Correlate irradiation conditions to the post-irradiation performance of novel materials.
- Coordinate with hot-cell personnel to collect post-irradiation mechanical property data.
- Perform characterization activities within a radiological laboratory.
- Participate in the development of new ideas and projects.
- Present and report research results and publish scientific outcomes in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner.
- Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
- Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
- Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary research environment consisting of experimentalists, computational scientists, and engineers conducting basic and applied research in support of the Laboratory’s missions.
- Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.
- Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.
Requirements
- A PhD degree in materials science, nuclear, or mechanical engineering, or a related discipline within the past 5 years.
- Excellent communication skills, including verbal, presentation, and writing skills, are required to enable effective interaction with technical peers and program managers.
- Applicants must have completed all degree requirements prior to position start.
- Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions; a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.
- Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- This position requires access to technology that is subject to export controls.
- For employment at ORNL, a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required; additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and DOE Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
- To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
Qualifications
- Proficiency with specimen preparation using standard metallography and Focused Ion Beam (FIB) techniques.
- Proficiency with characterization techniques such as SEM, EBSD, and TEM is strongly preferred.
- Experience with radiation effects in metals and alloys, with a particular focus on deformation mechanisms, damage-rate, helium effects, and/or stress effects in materials.
- Familiarity with subsized specimen mechanical testing/property analysis.
- Experience with the design of experiments for the collection of in-situ mechanical testing data.
- Knowledge of scientific software in python (numpy, scipy, pandas) or related data analysis suite.
- Record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications and conference presentations.
- 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.
Skills
Strong materials characterization skills; expertise in optical microscopy, SEM, EBSD, TEM; specimen preparation (metallography, FIB); mechanical testing of subsized specimens; radiation effects knowledge; Python data analysis (numpy, scipy, pandas); experimental design; communication and collaboration.
Benefits
- 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
- Employee Discounts
- On-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities
- Medical and retirement plans
- Flexible work hours