Postdoc: Fiber-Optic Sensing in Harsh Nuclear Environments

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance optical fiber sensing for monitoring property evolution and corrosion in harsh, high-temperature nuclear environments.

The candidate will design Fabry-Perot cavity-based fiber-optic sensors, develop data acquisition and control systems, and model prototypes using Multiphysics software to study irradiation creep and corrosion in zirconium alloys.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, optical or electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, or related field within the past 5 years.
• Expertise in optical fiber sensing or communications.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, fabricate and test Fabry-Perot cavity-based fiber-optic sensors for harsh environments.
• Develop data acquisition and control systems with hydraulic/pneumatic actuation and pressure monitoring.
• Assemble and install optical fiber sensors; relate measurements to material properties like creep and corrosion.
• Interface with staff in vibroacoustic signal analysis, signal processing, and instrumentation.
• Document results in technical reports, patents, journals, and conferences.

Skills

Optical sensing

Fabry-Perot sensing

Data acquisition

High temperature testing

DOE labs collaboration

Education

PhD in physics / optical / electrical / nuclear engineering

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

MOOSE

Job description

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance optical fiber sensing for monitoring property evolution and corrosion in harsh, high-temperature nuclear environments.

The candidate will design Fabry-Perot cavity-based fiber-optic sensors, develop data acquisition and control systems, and model prototypes using Multiphysics software to study irradiation creep and corrosion in zirconium alloys.