R&D Salt Qualification Scientist/Engineer

Responsibilities

• Design and implement experimental programs to characterize molten salt properties for IMSR applications, with a focus on material testing, chemical analysis, and long-term performance under reactor conditions.
• Develop and execute test procedures for thermophysical, chemical, and performance measurements that meet reactor specifications and provide reliable data for reactor qualification.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to measure critical salt properties, including thermal stability, chemical reactivity, corrosion resistance, and long-term performance.
• Operate experimental equipment and ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical tools (e.g., JMP, MATLAB, Python), including uncertainty quantification, regression analysis, and data validation. Develop models and correlations to support salt qualification and performance predictions.
• Maintain laboratory safety standards in line with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Prepare technical reports and qualification documents to support regulatory submissions, including responses to NRC inquiries.
• Present findings to regulatory bodies during audits and meetings.
• Work closely with reactor design engineers to align test programs with reactor specifications.
• Collaborate with materials engineers, chemistry teams, and other technical teams to support corrosion, compatibility, and performance studies.
• Continuously evaluate and improve test methods, experimental setups, and data analysis techniques to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of salt testing programs.
• Support procurement and vendor qualification processes for salt materials and related supplies.
• Manage testing schedules, resources, and priorities to meet project milestones.
• Provide regular updates to the R&D Director and project teams.
• Provide technical guidance to junior scientists or engineers, assisting with testing and characterization activities.
• Present experimental results and testing approaches to internal teams, external stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Physical Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in experimental research and materials testing, focusing on chemical characterization in high-temperature or molten salt environments.
• Strong understanding of physical chemistry, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics as applied to molten salts and reactor materials.
• Practical experience with molten salt chemistry, including corrosion and reactivity studies in high-temperature systems.
• Expertise in experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis (e.g., regression, uncertainty quantification).
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., JMP, Python, MATLAB) for analyzing complex experimental data and developing models.
• Knowledge of high-temperature experimental techniques, analytical chemistry, and data acquisition systems (e.g., LIMS).
• Familiarity with laboratory safety, chemical handling, and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Understanding of nuclear quality assurance and experience preparing regulatory documentation (e.g., NRC, DOE).
• Experience preparing qualification reports and technical documentation for regulatory submissions, including responses to regulatory inquiries.
• Proven ability to manage experimental programs, including scheduling, resource allocation, and task prioritization.
• Strong technical writing skills for scientific reports, regulatory documents, and communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to present technical data to internal teams, external stakeholders, and regulators.
• Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to staying current with emerging trends in molten salt technology and nuclear safety standards.
• Familiarity with ASTM, ISO, or other standards in material testing and quality assurance.