Job Details

Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Nuclear Engineering - UTK

Position Number: 6308697
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Engineering - Other Engineering

Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Nuclear Engineering - UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 3478
Job Category: Research
Posting Date: 06/17/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 863 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (On-site)

Job Description
Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Fusion Breeding Blanket Modeling

This position involves computational research to evaluate and design solid particle based fusion breeding blanket working in collaboration with Type One Energy. The researcher will have experience with computational multiscale materials modeling and irradiation effects or gas behavior in solids, and involve using the cluster dynamics code Xolotl to evaluate and optimize tritium generation and tritium extraction from the blanket particles.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

Responsibilities
The post-doc will work within a diverse and energetic team in the development of these capabilities and interface with research scientists at Type One Energy, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of model benchmarking and experimental validation. Additional duties include technical interactions with graduate students, contributing to and developing new research initiatives, and writing technical reports and peer reviewed scientific journal articles.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or an equivalent field.
The successful applicant will be a PhD graduate, with demonstrated experience with continuum scale material modeling techniques.
The candidate must have a good publication record of peer-reviewed, archival journal publications that documents the ability to contribute to, perform, and interpret cluster dynamics simulations.
Computer proficiency in programming, word processing, and presentation graphics is required.

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN
Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

Anticipated hiring range: 70-75k
Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for three professional references. For questions or inquiries please contact Prof. Sophie Blondel, email: sblondel@utk.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/3478/?mode=location