Senior R&D Staff - Cladding and Core Internal Component Testing

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory invites applications for a Senior R&D Staff member focused on cladding and core internals testing. You will lead experimental research on mechanical behavior, failure modes, and thermophysical properties of nuclear fuels under reactor conditions.

This role collaborates across ORNL groups and with industry partners to advance fuel materials, including zirconium alloys and accident-tolerant cladding, with access to hot-cell facilities.

Qualifications

• PhD required in a relevant field with 6+ years of professional experience.
• Strong publication record in nuclear materials.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D programs and activities on nuclear fuel cladding and core materials (zirconium alloys, hydrides, ATF).
• Develop transient testing to simulate operational occurrences and accidents.
• Evaluate hydrogen uptake, transport, precipitation, and hydride morphology effects on deformation and failure.
• Use digital image correlation and data acquisition to measure in-situ strain, temperature, and failure during tests.
• Coordinate with hot-cell staff for post-irradiation examination and data interpretation.
• Publish results and present at peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams while upholding safety and ethics.
• Align with ORNL core values and promote equal opportunity.

Skills

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Data analysis

Experimental testing

Education

PhD in materials science/nuclear/mechanical engineering

Job description

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Senior R&D Staff - Cladding and Core Internal Component Testing

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.

We are seeking a Senior R&D Staff member who will lead experimental research on the mechanical behavior, failure modes, and thermophysical property evolution of nuclear fuel cladding and core materials under reactor operating conditions that span normal operation, anticipated operational occurrences, and design-basis accidents. The research will emphasize zirconium alloys and their hydrides as well as accident-tolerant fuel cladding candidates, and ceramic fuel matrix and/or composite materials for space reactor applications. This position resides in the Fuel Cladding and Core Internals (FCCI) Group in the Fuel Cycle Science and Technology Division, Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

The FCCI Group focuses on advancing the future of nuclear energy by accelerating how the U.S. develops, tests, and qualifies fuels and materials for currently operating and next-generation reactors. As part of our research team, you will develop and apply mechanical testing methods to quantify deformation, damage progression, and failure modes for a wide range of reactor systems. Research may include transient and high-temperature testing, including techniques that simulate fuel behavior during accident conditions. The successful candidate will test both unirradiated and irradiated materials and work closely with capabilities and expertise available in ORNL’s hot cell and radiological facilities such as the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis Laboratory (LAMDA). The selected individual will collaborate with staff across the FCCI Group, the Fuel Cycle Science and Technology Division, the Materials Science and Technology Division, and others to advance experimental capabilities and create new research directions. Importantly, they will also engage with industry partners to advance their fuel/material technologies, identify targeted data needs, and develop test plans to deliver on those needs.

Metrics for success will include high-quality scientific output, development of reliable experimental methods and datasets, publication in peer-reviewed journals, presentation of results at national and international technical meetings, and timely delivery of programmatic milestones.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead R&D programs and/or programmatic activities on nuclear fuel cladding and core materials, including zirconium alloys and their hydrides and accident-tolerant fuel cladding candidates.
• Develop and apply transient testing techniques to simulate anticipated operational occurrences and/or reactivity-initiated-accidents in reactor systems.
• Evaluate the effects of hydrogen uptake, transport, precipitation, and hydride morphology on the deformation and failure of zirconium-alloy cladding and potential space nuclear reactor fuel materials.
• Use digital image correlation, data-acquisition systems, and complementary instrumentation to measure in situ strain, temperature, pressure, and failure during mechanical testing, conventional burst testing, or modified burst testing.
• Perform work in radiological laboratories and coordinate with hot-cell staff to obtain and interpret post-irradiation examination and mechanical-property data.
• Analyze experimental data, document methods and uncertainty, develop new research concepts, publish results in peer-reviewed journals, and present findings at technical meetings.
• Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams of experimentalists, computational scientists, and engineers while complying with environmental, safety, health, quality, security, and ethical requirements.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD degree in materials science, nuclear, or mechanical engineering, or a related discipline and 6+ years of professional experience.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, presentation, and writing skills, are required to enable effective interaction with technical peers and program managers.
• Track record of high impact publications and conference presentations in the field of nuclear materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research experience in the mechanical behavior and thermophysical properties of nuclear materials.
• Experience with zirconium alloys and hydrogen effects, including hydride precipitation, redistribution, reorientation, morphology, or hydrogen-assisted degradation.
• Experience with accident-tolerant fuel cladding materials such as coated zirconium alloys, iron-based alloys, or others.
• Experience designing or conducting mechanical tests on tubular cladding or sub-sized specimens under various stress states, both steady-state and transient, as well as integral testing to understand fuel system behavior.
• Experience with thermophysical property measurements and methods for characterizing metal hydrides and hydrogen effects on space reactor fuels.
• Proficiency with digital image correlation, experimental instrumentation, data acquisition, and quantitative analysis of in situ deformation or failure.
• Experience handling radioactive or irradiated materials and coordinating experimental work in radiological laboratories or hot-cell facilities.
• Experience using scientific software, artificial intelligence, or machine learning to analyze and interpret complex data sets.
• Experience developing significant new research proposals and new client relationships.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well‑being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on‑site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.