Fuel Materials Scientist

Nano Nuclear Energy, Inc.; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Relocation assistance

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Job summary

NANO Nuclear Energy in Oak Ridge, TN, seeks a Fuel Materials Scientist to own the qualification strategy for TRISO fuel within a ceramic-matrix matrix, emphasizing CVI SiC thermomechanics. You will design campaigns, plan irradiation tests, and translate data into fuel specifications and qualification criteria.

The role requires 5+ years in nuclear fuel materials, X-ray and destructive/nondestructive techniques, and QA compliance.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical field; Ph.D. preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in nuclear fuel, coated-particle, ceramic, or composite materials characterization and testing.
• Direct knowledge of TRISO kernel and coating-layer attributes, SiC or ceramic-matrix processing, defect mechanisms, microstructure, thermophysical properties, irradiation behavior, and high-temperature degradation.
• Experience developing, validating, and transferring destructive and nondestructive characterization methods.
• Knowledge of calibration, measurement uncertainty, detection limits, repeatability, reproducibility, and reference standards.
• Experience defining material lots, sampling plans, acceptance criteria, defect populations, and data reduction for heterogeneous or low-defect-rate fuel products.
• Experience with qualification work under ASME NQA-1, 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B, or equivalent nuclear QA controls.
• Strong understanding of specimen identity, chain of custody, data pedigree, nonconformance, and configuration management.
• Proven ability to translate process-structure-property relationships into controlled material and manufacturing specifications.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experimental campaigns to characterize thermomechanical properties of CVI SiC under simulated extreme operating and accident conditions.
• Contribute to planning and execution of fuel irradiation campaigns.
• Evaluate results and translate into modifications to fuel specifications and qualification requirements.
• Oversee external fuel fabrication activities with strategic vendors.
• Develop and validate destructive and nondestructive fuel characterization methods.
• Establish material attributes, process parameters, characterization methods, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria for TRISO particles and ceramic-matrix fuel.
• Demonstrate that fuel lots are representative, reproducible, and suitable for irradiation and safety-test qualification credit.
• Support fabrication and process scale-up strategies as fuel development progresses toward larger-scale production.

Skills

Nuclear fuel characterization

TRISO kernel knowledge

Ceramic-matrix processing

Destructive & nondestructive testing

Data quality & sampling plans

Process-structure-property translation

QC/QA controls knowledge

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science or Nuclear Engineering

M.S. in Materials Science or related

Tools

Statistical analysis software

Laboratory instrumentation & metrology

Job description

Oak Ridge, TN | $155K–$175K | Relocation Available | Reactor Development

Shape the Materials Qualification and Fabrication Strategy Behind Advanced Nuclear Fuel

The Opportunity

NANO Nuclear Energy is seeking a Fuel Materials Scientist to play a central role in the development and qualification of fuel for the KRONOS MMR.

This is an opportunity for an experienced materials scientist or nuclear fuel specialist to move beyond individual testing activities and take broader ownership of the experimental, characterization, fabrication, and scale-up strategies supporting an advanced reactor program.

Reporting to the Reactor Fuel Design Manager, you’ll focus on TRISO particle fuel within a ceramic matrix, with particular emphasis on the thermomechanical behavior of silicon carbide (SiC) produced through Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI).

Your work will help establish the material qualification basis needed to demonstrate fuel performance under normal, transient, and accident conditions while supporting the progression from experimental development toward scalable fuel production.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Own high-impact materials qualification work supporting an advanced nuclear reactor program.
• Design experimental campaigns addressing critical thermomechanical data gaps for CVI SiC.
• Work directly across TRISO fuel, ceramic-matrix materials, irradiation testing, characterization, and fabrication.
• Influence fuel specifications and qualification strategies using empirical test data.
• Gain direct exposure to external fabrication partners and irradiation campaigns.
• Help translate advanced materials R&D into controlled, reproducible manufacturing processes suitable for future scale-up.

What You’ll Do

• Design and execute experimental campaigns to characterize the thermomechanical properties of CVI SiC under simulated extreme operating and accident conditions.
• Contribute directly to the planning and execution of fuel irradiation campaigns.
• Evaluate empirical results and translate findings into modifications to fuel specifications and qualification requirements.
• Oversee external fuel fabrication activities with strategic vendors.
• Develop and validate destructive and nondestructive fuel characterization methods.
• Establish material attributes, process parameters, characterization methods, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria for TRISO particles and ceramic-matrix fuel.
• Demonstrate that fuel lots are representative, reproducible, and suitable for irradiation and safety-test qualification credit.
• Support fabrication and process scale-up strategies as fuel development progresses toward larger-scale production.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline; Ph.D. preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in nuclear fuel, coated-particle, ceramic, or composite materials characterization and testing.
• Direct knowledge of TRISO kernel and coating-layer attributes, SiC or ceramic-matrix processing, defect mechanisms, microstructure, thermophysical properties, irradiation behavior, and high-temperature degradation.
• Demonstrated experience developing, validating, and transferring destructive and nondestructive characterization methods.
• Knowledge of calibration, measurement uncertainty, detection limits, repeatability, reproducibility, and reference standards.
• Experience defining material lots, statistically defensible sampling plans, acceptance criteria, defect populations, and data‑reduction methods for heterogeneous or low‑defect‑rate fuel products.
• Experience conducting qualification work under ASME NQA-1, 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B, or equivalent nuclear QA controls.
• Strong understanding of specimen identity, chain of custody, data pedigree, nonconformance, and configuration management.
• Proven ability to translate process-structure-property relationships into controlled material and manufacturing specifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct applied experience developing CVD/CVI systems, sol‑gel chemistry, or advanced binder‑jet 3D printing processes.
• Experience scaling complex materials manufacturing processes from R&D laboratory environments toward commercial production.
• Deep materials science experience from other extreme‑environment industries that can be applied to advanced nuclear fuel development.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $155,000–$175,000, based on experience.

• Hybrid work environment.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance with company contributions.
• 401(k) match up to 5%.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Company holidays and paid parental leave.
• Opportunities for continued professional growth.
• Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is the priority location. Relocation is available.

This is an opportunity to have meaningful technical ownership over materials and processes that directly support the development and qualification of the KRONOS MMR.

NANO Nuclear Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply