Modeling Plasma Material Interactions in Fusion Reactors - Research Assistant / Associate / Full Pr...

Modeling Plasma Material Interactions in Fusion Reactors - Research Assistant / Associate / Full Professor

Location :

Knoxville, TN / Oak Ridge, TN

Open Date : Oct 15, 2024

Description :

The University of Tennessee has an opening for a Research Assistant / Associate Professor in the area of integrated plasma – material interaction modeling for fusion reactors. The successful candidate will be working with a new University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UTORII) project to develop integrated models predicting fusion plasma facing armor component performance and using this insight in developing materials for extreme applications with a focus on fusion environments.

This work will be focused on utilizing a suite of computational boundary plasma physics and multiscale materials modeling techniques ranging from the SOL-PS and GITR codes for boundary plasma and impurity modeling, in addition to first principles- based electronic structure models to molecular dynamics and mesoscale models such as kinetic Monte Carlo or spatially-dependent reaction-diffusion-advection cluster dynamics. The integrated modeling of plasma material interactions also requires experience with code coupling frameworks such the integrated plasma simulator (IPS) framework to manage complex workflows associated with coupling plasma and material modeling codes.

The research faculty will work collaboratively with a team of faculty, postdoctoral associates, and students in Nuclear Engineering (NE), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), and Physics, as well as scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Demonstrated Research Skills

• Strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team environment spanning experiments and modeling.
• A clear path to independence as a researcher is desired, although collaboration with more senior investigators will be expected.
• Since the investigator may participate in providing some level of instruction in accord with the UT-ORII mission, some formal teaching experience is desirable.
• A commitment to mentoring junior investigators who will work with the Research Faculty is important and, if available, demonstrated experience is a plus.

Qualifications : Required :

Additional Information About Position

Application Instructions :

Interested applicants should send inquiries to Prof. Brian Wirth (Governor’s Chair Professor in Computational Nuclear Engineering) at bdwirth@utk.edu.

The review of applications will begin on October 29 and continue until the position is filled. All application materials must be submitted to Interfolio at

Applications must include :

More About UT-ORII

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute was launched by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021, in response to America’s need for a stronger pool of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and increasingly life science talent.

UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL’s best capabilities and resources to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation and interdisciplinary graduate education; and to prepare the next generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation and the State of Tennessee. The institute’s current research areas include Clean Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, Energy Storage and Transportation, Radiopharmaceutical Therapies, and Circular Bioeconomy Systems. To learn more about UT-ORII visit utorii.com .

More About ORNL

Leveraging the talents of its world-class researchers and exceptional support staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is helping solve critical scientific and technical challenges and, in so doing, creating economic opportunity for the nation. ORNL provides access to unique facilities, laboratories, and equipment, drawing thousands of visiting researchers each year.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement :

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.

Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to  eoa@utk.edu , or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to  investigations@utk.edu , or by phone at 865-974-0717.