Postdoctoral Research Associate- Fusion and Fission Materials

Requisition Id14793

Overview:

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate who will focus on Microstructural Characterization and Mechanical Property Analysis for Fusion and Fission Materials. This position resides in the Advanced Nuclear Materials (ANM) Group in the Materials in Extremes Section, Materials Science and Technology Division, Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD), at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As part of our team, you will investigate the correlation between mechanical properties and microstructure in materials specifically used for fusion and fission applications. Your research will focus on understanding how various external factors, including neutron irradiation, temperature, stress, and hydrogen/helium accumulation, influence the performance and longevity of these materials.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct microstructural characterization on structural materials for fusion and fission applications to elucidatethe structure-property relationship.
• Evaluate the neutron irradiation and hydrogen/helium effects on the mechanical properties and microstructures of structural materials, e.g., reduced activation ferric-martensitic steels, reactor pressure vessel steels, and austenitic stainless steels, etc., to understand the underlying mechanisms.
• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner.
• 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in nuclear science and engineering or a related field completed within the last 5 years.
• Basic understanding of physical metallurgy and mechanical behavior of materials.
• Basic understanding of irradiation on materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experiences in focused ion beam (FIB), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and TEM sample preparation.
• Hands-on experiences in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD).
• Working experiences with low radioactivity specimens.
• Experiences with mechanical testing, including tensile, creep, fatigue, and fracture mechanics, of structural materials.
• Excellent record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• 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.

Special Requirements:

Postdocs:

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 up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Letters of Recommendation:

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

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: 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, 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.

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.

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.