Postdoctoral Plasma-Facing Component Scientist

The ORNL Postdoctoral Plasma-Facing Component Scientist supports the operations, upgrades and development of the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) target and its target assembly system. The Plasma Facing Components & Engineering (PFCE) Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral candidate experienced in assessing advanced, high-power plasma-facing components (PFCs).

MPEX is a linear plasma device under construction at ORNL that enables expanded fusion reactor-relevant material science capabilities, particularly for plasma-material interaction (PMI) research, and will deliver steady state plasmas to PMI targets with heat fluxes of 10 MW per square metre for up to 2 weeks. The ORNL Postdoctoral Plasma-Facing Component Scientist applies the analysis methods and design principles associated with deploying PFCs in the divertor region of a tokamak-style fusion reactor, and the work leads to predictive characterisation and lifetime assessments of similar PFCs. The position sits in the Diagnostics and Control Group of the PFCE Division, which carries out experiment-based research and development supporting ORNL’s Fusion and Fission Energy Science Directorate for the U.S. DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Program.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate and improve the MPEX sample-holder and target assembly station in support of its scientific mission goals
• Develop methods for understanding and eventually predicting the performance of MPEX sample-holders and targets under loading conditions
• Provide science and engineering direction to MPEX target design and manufacturing
• Develop and perform failure analysis of the MPEX target assembly
• Participate in and/or lead target exposures during MPEX operations
• Work with a multidisciplinary team of research scientists and engineers in fusion energy research to maintain a high level of scientific productivity
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality programme requirements
• Create high-impact research results to report in peer-reviewed journals and present at professional conferences
• Align behaviours, priorities and interactions with ORNL’s core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety and Service, and promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace

Requirements

Essential:

• PhD in engineering physics, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering or a closely related field, completed within the last 5 years or expected to be completed by June 30, 2027
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Desirable:

• Experience using finite element analysis (FEA) software or the equivalent, particularly as applied to advanced systems such as fusion PFCs
• Experience with experimental devices in support of fusion energy development, particularly measurement techniques for PFC characterisation
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing needs

Special requirements: this is a temporary 24-month position, with an appointment length of up to 24 months and the potential for extension, and initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding. ORNL requires a Real ID compliant form of identification and is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card, which requires a favourable post-employment background investigation, and new employees must pass a Federal Tier 1 background check that includes a declaration of illegal drug activities within the last year, including marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which remain illegal under federal law. Candidates who have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years are not eligible for the PIV credential and must instead obtain a favourable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment, and once they meet the three-year residency requirement they must obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.