Nuclear/Mechanical Thermal-Hydraulic Engineering Postdoctoral Research Associate

Description

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Nuclear/Mechanical Thermal-Hydraulic Engineering Postdoctoral Research Associate to work in our Thermal-Hydraulics Experiment and Modeling & Simulation department. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off.

You will apply engineering expertise to support the design, analysis, and conduct of experiments for the Single Primary Heat Extraction and Removal Emulator (SPHERE) experimental test facility. Technical tasks will focus on experimental and computational studies related to conventional and advanced nuclear reactors. You will be a versatile engineer with extensive experience in experiment design, data acquisition and processing, and analytics. We also ask that you have proficiency in finite volume method (FVM)-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) along with proficiency in MATLAB, PYTHON, ABAQUS, FORTRAN, and C++. Additional technical tasks may include analysis of two-phase flow of experimental fuels and materials. Analysis will support iterative design process, predicted temperature analysis, and final safety analysis. Calculations will be performed using a combination of RELAP5 and MOOSE based tools.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements: 

• Ph.D. in nuclear/mechanical engineering, experience with thermal-hydraulics, computational fluid dynamics, or related disciplines must be completed by commencement of appointment and within the previous 5 years.
• Experience in thermal-hydraulic experiments, from experiment design to data-analytics.
• Experience with verification and validation methods of Thermal Hydraulic test facilities and system codes.
• Familiarity with MOOSE framework.

Desired Qualifications:

• Develop, and run physical experiments.
• Understanding of heat pipes, how they operate, and their role in reactor development including microreactor applications and working with heat pipes experimentally and conduct analysis using MOOSE based tools.
• Experience designing and building experimental test beds to support deployment of advanced energy systems.
• Experience with code development and validation of code for modeling purposes to aid Sockeye development.
• Knowledge of the primary phenomenological areas of reactors: two-phase thermal fluid flow, heat transfer in solids, neutron kinetics, and structural mechanics.
• Demonstrated oral and published research(in English).
• Provide quantitative and written analysis of research results.
• Work with a research team comprised of many varying expertise.
• Experience meting project deadlines with results.
• Publish articles in, reputable and peer-reviewed journals and present papers at national and international conferences and workshops.

Job Information: 

• Salary: $96,900 Annually
• You are required to show a demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

INL 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 5,000 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and development technologies that underpin the nation’s nuclear and renewable energy, national security, and environmental missions.

INL Mission
Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision
Our vision is to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements
To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

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. 

Reasonable Accommodation
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information
When 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 does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.