Deslonde deBoisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate - (14532)

 

 

Job Title: Deslonde deBoisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate  

Org: University Partnerships

HR Consultant: Christina Morgan  

Contact:  Jessica.Dixon@inl.gov

Work Location: Idaho Falls, ID (Town)

 

Empowering the Nation's Energy Future

 

Mission: 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.

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.

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking candidates for the Deslonde deBoisblanc 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 High-Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) TRISO particle based fuel spheres intended for use in Pebble Bed Reactors, 2) Design and demonstration of new methods an 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.

The selected candidate will publish work in various internal and customer-required reports and in the refereed literature. The selected candidate 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. 

 

 

 

• 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 potential

Ability to secure a US DOE L-clearance may be needed depending on the specific work scope match to the selected candidate’s interests and skills.

Professional Engineering Registration at least at the EIT level is desirable.

Current INL postdocs or individuals who have previously completed an INL postdoc position are ineligible to apply.

• 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

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.

Current Curriculum Vitae

Unofficial transcripts

Letter of interest including:

Long-term professional goals

Dates of availability

Descriptions of disciplinary strengths and disciplinary areas in which candidate desires continued research

Maximum 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 choice

Abstract of Doctoral Dissertation

Three letters of recommendation

One recommendation must be from Ph.D. advisor

Proposed Short Research Plan including:

Research to be addressed

Conjectures or hypotheses to be tested

Proposed methods of investigation and the guiding, relevant theoretical frameworks

Schedule, unburdened budget, major equipment needs, and other necessary resources

Maximum length: Two pages (U.S. 8.5 x 11, single sided)

Please ensure your proposal addresses the following sections:

Project description/abstract: A stand-alone paragraph that should be understandable to a technically literate lay reader. Please include a problem statement, the knowledge gap being filled, and a very brief overview of the proposed solution to fill the gap. Please be explicit about why the project is innovative (reference state of the art in field). State the potential impact of the research.

Significance: Describe the scientific/technical problem that the proposal addresses, explain why this problem is significant, and introduce the proposed novel approach for addressing this problem (please explicitly call out what is novel). How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field and across different fields? Is it closely related to work being done at INL, at other DOE laboratories, or elsewhere?

Research Plan: Provide a brief overview of research plan and objectives (specific aims). For each objective/aim: (i) provide a description of the scientific hypothesis to be tested or technical concepts to be demonstrated to achieve the objective/aim, (ii) discuss the methods, materials, facilities, protocols to be employed, and techniques for analyzing data and validating results as appropriate, (iii) describe the expected results and impacts (e.g., fundamental breakthroughs, enabling technologies).

Products and Deliverables: How will this project contribute to achieving INL’s mission, or what question will we be able to answer that we couldn’t answer previously? i.e., “at the end of this project we will have a greater understanding of X, which matters because of Y.” Publications and conference presentation are encouraged.

Potential for Follow-On Activities: Describe how the results will be disseminated; include likely journals in which this would be published and conferences, workshops, and planning activities at which the work would be presented. 

Schedule and Budget: Present the estimated, unburdened budgets and personnel time for each task described. Materials, subcontracts and travel budgets should be listed as well. 

Maximum length: Two pages (U.S. 8.5 x 11, single sided)

 

 

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); 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: September 30, 2020 (Midnight) 

 Environmental, Safety and Health Statement

 

Must 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.

 

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 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.

 

 

Idaho 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.

 

PRIMARY LOCATION: United States

JOB: Postdoc

ORGANIZATION: Laboratory Director (A0xx)

SCHEDULE: Full-time

EMPLOYEE STATUS: Regular

JOB POSTING: Apr 7, 2020, 5:03:26 PM

UNPOSTING DATE: Sep 30, 2020, 11:59:00 PM