Research Engineer

Job Title

Research Engineer

The Department of Nuclear Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Nuclear Engineering. We are the only nuclear engineering program in the state of North Carolina and one of the premier departments in the southeast United States. Our purpose is to enhance, promote, and utilize the PULSTAR research reactor and associated facilities in an exemplary manner, leading to national recognition as a premier 1-MW Nuclear Reactor Program dedicated to research, teaching, and extension.

The PULSTAR reactor facility is available for use by research faculty and staff within the UNC system or at other academic institutions, and by governmental agencies and industries in the State of North Carolina and the Nation.

Attain work-life balance with our Childcare benefits,
Wellness & Recreation Membership
, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

• Reactor Operations and Training
  :
  Receive comprehensive training to obtain licensure as a Senior Reactor Operator from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
• System Design and Maintenance
  :
  Participate in the design, installation, testing, operation, and maintenance of reactor plant and experimental facility systems.
• Procedure and Protocol Development
  :
  Develop detailed specifications for reactor and experiment system components, including design requirements and operational and maintenance procedures. Create and implement laboratory safety and radiation protection procedures and protocols to support reactor research.
• Computational Modeling and Simulation
  :
  Formulate and execute reactor core and system simulations using high-performance computing (HPC) resources to ensure safe reactor operation.
• Research and Development
  :
  Design experimental facilities and conduct complex research utilizing computational resources. Formulate research methodologies and propose enhancements to improve research quality.
• Documentation and Publication
  :
  Contribute to project documentation and reporting, author scholarly papers, and support the development of proposals for new projects.
• Nuclear System Analysis
  :
  Perform nuclear system simulations, experimental facility design, and nuclear data generation to support the safe operation of the PULSTAR nuclear research reactor. Utilize HPC resources to run atomistic simulation, nuclear data generation, and radiation transport codes.

• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

• Relevant Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering.
• Greater than or equal to 10 years of experience with:
  • Utilization of reactor facility including administration of a service center.
  • Providing technical input for generating proposals for academic and corporate users.
  • Design and installation of experimental apparatus, and performing testing and generating reports.

• Understand technical operating, service, or repair manuals.
• Identify the educational needs of others, develop formal educational or training programs or classes, and teach or instruct others.
• Experience in nuclear reactor analyses, nuclear reactor benchmarks; experimental nuclear facility design, nuclear data evaluation and validation, and modeling using molecular methods. Strong capabilities in using MCNP, Serpent, NJOY, Open Foam, VASP, and PHONON codes. Strong programming skills using languages such as Fortran and Python, and utilities such as MATLAB.
• Strong capabilities in using Multiphysics simulation codes.

• Familiarity with tenets and implementation of safety and security culture and cyber-security mitigations at a research reactor facility.
• Experience with electronic systems including analog instrumentation, industrial I&C, LV power, automation, and/or radiation detection.
• Knowledge of analytical chemistry, chemical safety and hygiene, and/or radiochemistry.
• Analog electrical instruments
• Industrial I&C and automation
• Radiation protection and shielding
• Analytical chemistry
• Chemical safety and hygiene
• Familiarity with design and operation of high and very-high vacuum systems

• No specific license required.

• Required:
  
  Yes

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact  to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the…