ATR Deslonde deBoisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate

Company: Idaho National Laboratory
Location: Idaho Falls
Posted on: January 16, 2020

Job Description:

Description Job InformationJob Title: ATR Deslonde deBoisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate-- --Org: University Partnerships--Contact: (see application details)Work Location:-- Idaho Falls, ID-- Mission/Vision Statement Empowering the Nation's Energy FutureMission: Discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.Vision: INL will change the world's energy future and secure our critical infrastructure.Equal Employment Opportunity Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.-- It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.-- Women and People of Color are strongly encouraged to apply. Responsibilities Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking candidates for the ATR Deslonde de Boisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate Appointment. This appointment is awarded to early career nuclear scientists and engineers to perform leading-edge research and development for Advanced Power Reactor Design and Development as well as to support Operations, Safety, Fuel Management, Experiment Management and other pertinent activities associated with INL research reactor facilities used to support Advanced Reactor Development. The position requires in-depth knowledge of computational and experimental reactor physics, core design optimization, nuclear instrumentation and thermal-fluids science, as well as experience with established and well-validated reactor analysis tools such as, but not limited to, RELAP, MCNP5, HELIOS, SCALE, and Serpent. Examples of specific research and development areas of interest for this position currently include:1. Design and development of next-generation reactors for electric power production as well as design of new research and test reactors for testing of components and fuel forms intended for use in advanced power reactors. Current areas of special interest include but are not limited to, 1) design of a multi-purpose tunable-spectrum (fast and thermal neutron spectra) test reactor as a long-term multi-purpose replacement for the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) and its companion zero-power critical facility (ATRC), both of which are currently operating at the INL, 2) support for design and component testing associated with advanced power reactors based on high-exposure metallic fuels and, 3) support for the design of an advanced pulsed reactor for various types of transient nuclear testing applications. 2. Development of new and/or improved testing capabilities for the ATR and the ATRC. Activities in this area may include, 1) Scientific and engineering support for the use of the ATR as a full-power testing facility for nuclear qualification of HighTemperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) TRISO particle based fuel spheres intended for use in Pebble Bed Reactors, 2) Design and demonstration of new methods and instrumentation for improved monitoring of nuclear and thermal parameters in the ATR flux traps in connection with various programs focused on performance testing of fuel elements for advanced power reactors, 3) Improved monitoring of fission power distributions within the ATR core to provide element- and possibly sub element-level spatial resolution, 4) Development and application of state-of-the-art methods for ATR core fuel cycle optimization that will allow the facility to meet all customer experiment requirements while consuming the least possible amount of fuel, 4) Development of new, practical, non-invasive methods for measurement of spatially-resolved fuel burnup in irradiated ATR fuel elements and, 5) ATR fuel component testing activities related to the potential conversion of the fuel of the ATR from highly enriched uranium to low enriched uranium. 3. ATR is involved in a number of initiatives to provide researchers opportunities for fuel and material irradiations to further nuclear science around the globe as well as isotope production. ATR has been directed to prepare a Business Case comparing the costs and benefits of ATR operation beyond the year 2040 and consider the potential replacement of the thermal test capabilities (a new reactor concept) and is updating existing studies and exploring new options for a thermal neutron reactor. As the primary thermal test reactor for Naval Nuclear Propulsion program work related to irradiated materials and fuels development. ATR is also one of two Department of Energy thermal test reactors operating over 85+ MW and is involved in isotope production (i.e. Pu238 for deep space radioisotope thermoelectric generators), materials irradiations, and other research programs that have ongoing and future needs. Capabilities at ATR are defined based on the last 51 years of operations and changes made to the original reactor design formulated in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Modern technologies and code modeling techniques are of interest as it relates to meeting programmatic and functional requirements that have not fundamentally changed as described in the related literature. Opportunities exist to, 1) review prior work (related literature) and updating relative areas of reactor physics, flow modeling (primary and secondary systems), instruments and controls, and experiment support systems and interfaces 2) Design studies for a Multiple Application Thermal Reactor for Irradiation Experiments (MATRIX), 3) Develop a business case and recommendation package is a deliverable in September of 2022. Reactor design concept input related to this deliverable would initially need to be completed by July 1, 2022 to be fully incorporated into the September report. The selected candidate will publish work in various internal and customer-required reports and in the refereed literature. You will also be involved in the preparation, peer review, and delivery of proposals, program plans, oral presentations and other activities related to development of new INL programs and projects in areas of expertise. The candidate must be able to work in a team environment but must also be able to work independently and show initiative. Ideal candidates will have exceptional talent, records of early scientific accomplishment, and potential for significant new achievements. Due to the nature of the work that will be performed for this position, applicants must be U.S. citizens.Citizenship requirements are dependent on individual projects. Future Deslonde de Boisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate positions may not have citizenship restrictions.-- Qualifications PhD in nuclear or mechanical engineering, physics, or comparable discipline. PhD requirements must have been completed by commencement of appointment and within the previous three years Demonstrated oral and written scientific communication skills in English Demonstrated leadership and independence potentialPreference will be given to candidates who: Possess a PhD degree from a prestigious university Are from a prestigious graduate program in their field of research, and/or have completed a research experience or postdoc appointment at a premier institution--Due to the nature of the work that will be performed for this position, applicants must be U.S. citizens.Please submit the following to Thomas Steele at (see application details):Current Curriculum VitaeUnofficial transcriptsLetter of interest including:Long-term professional goalsDates of availabilityDescriptions of disciplinary strengths and disciplinary areas in which candidate desires continued researchMaximum length: Two pages in letter format (U.S. 8.5 x 1, single sided)Bibliography of publications, preprints, and significant presentations (if not already listed in CV)One peer reviewed publication preprint or reprint of candidate's choiceAbstract of Doctoral DissertationThree letters of recommendationOne recommendation must be from Ph.D. advisorProposed Short Research Plan including:Research to be addressedConjectures or hypotheses to be testedProposed methods of investigation and the guiding, relevant theoretical frameworksSchedule, unburdened budget, major equipment needs, and other necessary resourcesMaximum length: Two pages (U.S. 8.5 x 11, single sided)Special Requirements and/or Training:Due to the nature of the work that will be performed for this position, applicants must be U.S. citizens. Citizenship requirements are dependent on individual projects. Future Deslonde de Boisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate positions may not have citizenship restrictions.Current INL postdocs or individuals who have previously completed an INL postdoc position are ineligible to apply. Selective Service RequirementsTo be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959--must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). This includes U.S. born and naturalized citizens, parolees, undocumented immigrants, legal permanent residents, asylum seekers, refugees, and all males with visas of any kind which expired more than 30 days ago. The few individuals who are exempt from this requirement are those on current non-immigrant visas.-- For more information see-- www.sss.gov . Employee Job Functions Employee Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position.-- These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job position which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.-- Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.-- An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be--discussed and workplace--accommodations may--be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.Motor Abilities: Grasping/gripping; Fine motor control (hands); Lifting ability; Exertion - minimal; Repetitive work - intermittent.Special Senses: Visually demanding work; Near vision; Basic color discrimination; Speech discrimination; Audio alarms.Work Conditions: Stairs; Radiation work; Protective clothing; Typing/keyboard; > 8 Hrs/day; Working alone.-- Please Apply Before:March 31, 2020 (Midnight) Environmental, Safety and Health StatementMust be familiar with, and comply with all relevant health and safety requirements.-- Must be knowledgeable of emergency action policies and procedures, methods for reporting/resolving work practices or conditions to available cognizant professionals. Other InformationWhen applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration. INL OverviewINL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense.-- With more than 4,300 scientists, researchers and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and develop technologies that underpin the nation's nuclear and renewable energy, national security and environmental missions. The Idaho Falls AreaIdaho Falls is conveniently situated near many national treasures such as Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, Jackson, WY, etc.-- For more information about the area, please visit www.visitidahofalls.com and www.visitidaho.org .

Keywords: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls , ATR Deslonde deBoisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate, Other , Idaho Falls, Idaho