Research Engineer, Civil Engineering

About the role

The Research Engineer-Nuclear Safety and Fuel Cycle Facilities is part of the CRESP center and Nuclear Environmental Engineering Research Group within the Civil Engineering Department in the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University. This key individual contributor is responsible for research related to the following research areas:

• Investigating process optimization for nuclear fuel cycle facilities, including new reactors, and storage or disposal used nuclear fuel (UNF) and other waste streams.
• Safety analysis and performance characterization of nuclear fuel cycle facilities, including advanced nuclear fission reactors and proposed fusion power plants and test facilities.
• Risk-informed decision-making processes that can be integrated into existing U.S. DOE design and safety analysis frameworks.
• Development of professional continuing education class materials related to advanced nuclear fuel cycles and facilities, nuclear safety analyses, and nuclear facilities siting.

Responsibilities

Develop and/or review advanced reactor and fuel cycle facilities system safety analyses created using process hazards analysis (PHA) methods.

Develop methodologies for and reviewing the results of applying model-based systems engineering methods to fuel cycle facilities and advanced reactor design.

Assist in research to aggregate, analyze, and synthesize data regarding public sentiments regarding siting, licensing and operation of existing commercial independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSIs) to inform future consent-based siting efforts for a federal CIS.

Aid in coordinating meetings and strategies between project partners.

Avoidance of duplication of effort and ensuring effective communication among project partners.

Assist in organizing public engagements, reporting project progress to DOE, technically evaluating project deliverables.

Collaborate to develop guidance for U.S. DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) regarding the need to integrate risk-informed methods into safety and design decision-making.

Performing case studies on relevant facilities using the established risk-informed decision-making methodology.

Developing course materials for continuing professional education related to advanced nuclear fuel cycle facilities, nuclear safety systems, and nuclear facilities siting.

Qualifications

A minimum of two-four years of experience in safety analysis and risk-informed decision-making activities is necessary.

Outstanding interpersonal skills working with diverse stakeholders.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Experience with stakeholder engagement and community outreach.

Knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle facilities and safety analysis methods.

Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.