Senior Research Scientist - Nuclear Materials and Radiation Effects

Requisition Id16041

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) invites applications for a senior scientist position to advance collaborative research and technology development in materials for extreme environments, with an emphasis at the intersection of fundamental materials science of radiation effects and defect-deformation interactions, fission and fusion structural materials, nuclear fuel innovation, and materials research capability expansion. This position resides in the Radiation Effects and Microstructural Analysis Group (REMAG) within the Materials in Extremes Section, Materials Science and Technology Division, Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Working in support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES), Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), and Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES), as well as with other government, industry, educational, and other external stakeholders, this position will apply advanced expertise in radiation and related materials sciences to drive innovation and lead next-generation materials research initiatives for fusion, fission, and other extreme environments.

The incumbent will also contribute to the strategic planning and execution of efforts supporting the expansion, modernization, and integration of nuclear materials development, irradiated materials testing, and post-irradiation examination facilities and capabilities. The selected candidate may also serve as Principal Investigator for the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) Laboratory, ensuring programmatic alignment with ORNL’s long‑term strategic objectives for nuclear energy research and development.

The successful candidate will play a central role in bridging fundamental and applied materials research, enabling transformative advances in fusion and fission energy systems through foundational studies of radiation effects in materials, microstructural evolution, and performance under extreme conditions. This position represents a critical leadership opportunity to strengthen ORNL’s role as a national resource in nuclear materials science, advancing the DOE mission to achieve clean energy innovation, energy security, and scientific excellence.

• Act as a leader in scientific research and capability expansion for advanced nuclear materials and radiation effects in materials science.
• Directly contribute to the laboratory’s vision of advancing breakthrough fusion and fission energy systems that are pivotal to the nation’s energy future.
• Develop new projects and programs by leveraging capabilities in experimental design, complex data analysis, technology and process development, and effective communication of findings through reports and presentations.
• Lead advanced research by applying scientific principles to engineer innovative solutions, mentor junior staff, ensure compliance with standards, manage budgets, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners.
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of organizational values and ethics.
• Advance 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, collaborate, and define success.

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Nuclear Engineering (focus on Materials), or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of research experience post PhD in relevant field.
• Experience in at least one leadership position within a scientific research project or research team.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in scientific research, such as serving as a program or project manager, with a record of mentoring early‑career researchers, postdoctoral associates, or graduate students.
• Extensive experience in the post‑irradiation examination of radioactive structural, fuel, or other functional materials, or in the analysis of materials behavior in nuclear environments.
• Excellent written and oral communication…