As part of a research and development team focused on providing solutions to critical issues for practical fusion energy development, the incumbent will carry out and coordinate research that supports the technical development and/or evaluation of new technologies proposed and developed by private industry. The incumbent will serve as the director of the Department of Energy (DOE) Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program with the mission of accelerating fusion energy development in the private sector by reducing impediments to collaboration involving the expertise and unique resources available at DOE laboratories. The incumbent will establish the technical basis and justification for engagement by ORNL in such activities and work with the FED Division Director and the private industry contacts to establish a technical work plan that is mutually beneficial to both parties.

In addition, the successful candidate will engage in identifying compelling research opportunities within the private fusion enterprise for which ORNL expertise and/or capabilities are well suited for a partnership.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the development of fusion public-private partnerships at ORNL, working closely with the FED Division Director, ORNL staff and private industry participants
• Serve as director of the DOE INFUSE program
• Establish and nurture working relationships with private companies that are engaged or seek to be involved in fusion development
• Advise the FED Division Director on emerging trends and opportunities in private fusion investment and those initiatives in which the Lab is well positioned to participate
• Maintain a high level of scientific productivity
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Perform work according to specific rules and requirements for quality assurance, nuclear material control, radiological work, and general laboratory safety.
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.

Basic Qualifications:

• Requires a Ph.D. with a minimum of 6 years relevant experience, a M.S. with a minimum of 12 years experiences, or a B.S. with 15 years experience.
• Qualified candidates should have demonstrated experience in leading R&D teams
• Scientific productivity demonstrated by a record of lead-authored publications (published, accepted, or submitted)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience in working in research partnerships, either through research participation or coordination role
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently in conceptualizing, initiating, and evaluating research opportunities
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

Desirable Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to establish, nurture, and execute on technical partnerships with external participants
• Capability to develop compelling, actionable research and development plans
• Ability to motivate and coordinate research staff towards common goals

Internal Number: 3852

About Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. ORNL’s diverse capabilities span a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling the Laboratory to explore fundamental science challenges and to carry out the research needed to accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace. ORNL supports DOE’s national missions of:

Scientific discovery — We assemble teams of experts from diverse backgrounds, equip them with powerful instruments and research facilities, and address compelling national problems;

Clean energy — We deliver energy technology solutions for energy-efficient buildings, transportation, and manufacturing, and we study biological, environmental, and climate systems in order to develop new biofuels and bioproducts and to explore the impacts of climate change;

Security — We develop and deploy “first-of-a-kind” science-based security technologies to make the world a safer place. ORNL supports these missions through leadership in four major areas of science and technology:

Neutrons — We operate two of the world’s leading neutron sources, which enable scientists and engineers to gain new insights into materials and biological systems;

Computing — We accelerate scientific discovery through modeling and simulation on powerful supercomputers, advance data-intensive science, and sustain US leadership in high-performance computing;

Materials — We integrate basic and applied research to develop advanced materials for energy applications;

Nuclear — We advance the scientific basis for 21st century nuclear fission and fusion technologies and systems, and we produce isotopes for research, industry, and medicine.

Details
Posted: July 29, 2020
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Level: Experienced
Discipline: Engineering and Technology: Nuclear
Preferred Education: Doctorate

For more detail see:

https://careers.aps.org/jobs/13769598/senior-r-d-staff-member-fusion-public-private-partnerships