Postdoc: Uranium Chemistry & Nuclear Forensics

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Dental Plan

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a postdoctoral researcher in uranium chemistry and nuclear forensics to lead investigations on nuclear fuel cycle materials. The role involves crystallography, spectroscopy, and various materials analyses, with collaboration across the Materials & Chemistry Group.

The position emphasizes developing indicators for forensics and translating fundamental research into practical insights, with the potential for extension and cross-disciplinary work at ORNL.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Mineralogy, or related field within five years of application.
• Proven synthesis and materials fabrication experience.
• Demonstrated record of publishing in peer‑reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to understand processing effects on chemical and physical observables of nuclear fuel cycle materials.
• Synthesize uranium materials using solution-based and solid-phase techniques.
• Analyze materials via crystallography, thermal analysis, imaging, and spectroscopy.
• Prepare technical reports, journal articles, and contribute to collaborations.

Skills

Chemical synthesis

Materials analysis

Scientific publishing

Security clearance

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Mineralogy

Tools

Crystallography

Optical spectroscopy

Neutron scattering

Job description

Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a postdoctoral researcher in uranium chemistry and nuclear forensics to lead investigations on nuclear fuel cycle materials. The role involves crystallography, spectroscopy, and various materials analyses, with collaboration across the Materials & Chemistry Group.

The position emphasizes developing indicators for forensics and translating fundamental research into practical insights, with the potential for extension and cross-disciplinary work at ORNL.