Distinguished Scientist, Verification Technologies

Requisition Id15004

Overview:

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.

We are seeking a full-time Distinguished Scientist specializing in Verification Technologies to lead the development of cutting-edge safeguards verification technologies for international nuclear safeguards. This role will also lead technical analyses related to nuclear nonproliferation, particularly in advanced reactor domains. This position resides in the Verification Technologies Group of the Nonproliferation Engineering Science and Technologies (NEST) Section in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) of the National Security Sciences Directorate (NSSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). As part of our team, you will contribute to our group's mission to develop and implement technologies to verify that nuclear material and associated facilities are being used only for peaceful purposes, thereby strengthening global nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

The Verification Technologies Group specializes in creating innovative verification technology solutions that monitor nuclear materials and facilities across a range of applications, including domestic accountancy, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, bilateral arms control treaties, and various national security initiatives. We have a strong emphasis on the science and engineering of radiation inspection systems including radiation portal monitoring and have established recognized expertise in supporting advanced reactor safeguards. Additionally, we develop innovative technologies and systems tailored for inspector use and have played a vital role in the deployment of multiple technologies utilized by the IAEA.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Initiate, plan, and manage major research programs and projects related to verification technologies, exerting considerable latitude in determining objectives and approaches to work assignments.
• Lead the development and integration of innovative verification technologies to ensure that nuclear materials and associated facilities are used only for peaceful purposes.
• Conduct technical analyses to support nuclear nonproliferation efforts, particularly focusing on advanced reactor technologies.
• Drive impactful research in verification technologies as demonstrated through successful proposals, innovative science and technology delivered to sponsors, research presentations, professional community engagement, professional society leadership roles, inventions/patents/copyrights, and publications as appropriate.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for ongoing and new research projects in verification technologies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across ORNL to leverage scientific capabilities relevant to verification technologies.
• Advance global nuclear nonproliferation efforts through innovative research and technology development.
• Provide technical insights to shape project and program development.
• Engage with sponsors to lead program development activities, including proposal preparation, whitepaper development, and conference participation.
• Mentor early-career staff and provide formal leadership in project execution and technical guidance.
• Conduct research and development spanning from proof-of-concept to technology implementation and testing.

All team members 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:

• PhD in nuclear engineering, science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in the development of safeguards verification technology.
• Extensive research experience in verification technologies, with a demonstrated track record of managing major research projects and pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the field.
• Strong grasp of international nuclear safeguards and nuclear nonproliferation principles.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional research and development teams.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills for stakeholder engagement, with significant influence among senior management and clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience leading teams and conducting independent as well as collaborative research in verification technologies, specifically in support of international nuclear safeguards.
• Demonstrated success in managing funding and executing various project scopes from smaller efforts (<1 full time equivalent) to larger efforts (10+ full time equivalence).
• Self-motivated and skilled in both independent work and collaborative team environments.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced research setting, adept at prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines.
• Experience mentoring and fostering the professional development of research staff.
• A strong record of developing and expanding research programs and team-building capabilities.
• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of nuclear engineering principles and research methods, along with experience leading complex, interdisciplinary research programs.
• Deep knowledge of domestic nuclear material control and accounting, international nuclear safeguards, and arms control treaty verification practices and technologies.
• Proven experience in developing and operationalizing verification technologies and techniques.
• Background in nuclear nonproliferation, counterproliferation, and/or intelligence in the context of nuclear fuel cycles.
• Documented leadership experience in national or international nuclear nonproliferation research projects.
• Experience working with or collaborating with DOE National Laboratories or similar R&D organizations.
• Externally recognized expertise in the field, with significant involvement in major research programs that impact organizational objectives and the national security mission.

Special Requirements:

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

About ORNL

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.

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

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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.