Group Leader, Energy Systems Integration and Modeling

Requisition Id15406

Overview:

The Advanced Reactor Engineering and Development (ARED) Section of the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division (NEFCD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking applications for a Senior Research & Development Staff Member to lead, develop and grow its Energy Systems Integration and Modeling (ESIM) Group.

As the ESIM Group Leader, you will shape the future of nuclear energy's role in the broader energy landscape. You will provide both scientific and technical leadership for a team of up to 10 researchers, while maintaining your own active research portfolio. Working closely with the ARED Section Head and the NEFCD Division Director, you will set the group's vision, drive new research directions, and cultivate partnerships that expand ORNL's impact at the national and global levels.

The ESIM Group tackles a central challenge in modern energy: how to ensure a reliable, resilient power supply while seamlessly integrating nuclear systems with other energy resources. Using advanced computational modeling and physics-based simulations, the group generates critical insights into how individual components, industrial processes, and grid-scale systems interact with nuclear energy. The group's efforts enable precise evaluation of nuclear energy's role in achieving integrated, flexible, and decarbonized energy economy.

The group's multidisciplinary expertise spans computational physics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and nuclear engineering. Research areas include:

• Combined heat and power (CHP) applications for nuclear energy.
• Additive manufacturing processes and technologies for nuclear.
• Radiation detection and monitoring.
• Electrochemical and chemical industrial processes.
• Molten salt thermodynamics and related systems.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop a vision and implement a cohesive group research strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing research projects to position the group for future success.
• Initiate, lead, and perform independent research and development in the area of modeling simulation related to nuclear energy's cogeneration applications (process heat, desalination, data centers, and others).
• Develop and implement plans to exploit new opportunities and expand existing efforts.
• Assist staff in setting performance goals consistent with the group's strategy and members' long-term career goals. Provide feedback to address performance issues in a timely manner.
• Attract a quality, diverse pool of top candidates and hire staff members who are committed to world-class R&D and aspire to be the best in their field.
• 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 BS, MS, or PhD degree in mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, computational sciences or a related discipline.
• A BS with 15 years of relevant experience, or a MS with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, or a PhD with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leading R&D teams and managing R&D projects or programs to deliver successful products or capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• 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.
• Aptitude and experience in independent, original and impactful research and development, demonstrated in a record of scholarly publications or other artifacts, in an area relevant to the expertise of the group.
• A strong commitment to promoting a positive and safe work environment, maintaining scientific integrity, encouraging mentorship and continuing development of professional staff.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

• If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.
• Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

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.

Relocation:

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email:ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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.