Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Senior Materials Engineer

Position Summary

Michigan State University operates FRIB as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics.

As one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities, FRIB provides researchers with one of the most advanced tools of modern science to study rare isotopes, or short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth. FRIB hosts what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, enabling scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry. 

User facility operation is supported by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics as one of 28 DOE-SC user facilities. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report..

This position affords an exciting opportunity to become part of the world-class FRIB Laboratory that enables unique discovery opportunities in nuclear science.

Purpose

The Senior Nuclear Materials Engineer leads the engineering, testing and certification of beam-intercepting materials, which includes characterization of materials irradiated by energetic particle beams, and researches and developments (R&D) of innovative materials that can be used under higher radiation dose and severer temperature conditions than conventional materials, for the purpose of achieving the ultimate 400 kW operation and beyond.

Major Position Responsibilities

• To support reliable FRIB operations, certify materials for beam-intercepting devices ensuring that the specifications required by operational conditions are met (displacement damages, blistering / swelling due to gas ion implantation / gas production, cyclic thermal stress and fatigue, creep, etc). The certification process shall include failure mode analyses
• Lead material irradiation tests for beam-intercepting materials to characterize radiation damage in them. The effort includes experimental planning (dose estimate, temperature control, ion implantation, irradiated material handling, etc)
• Lead collaborative works for Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE) of irradiated materials with national laboratories and/or international laboratories where advanced PIE can be performed
• Lead R&Ds for innovative materials that are more radiation resistant and thermally resistant than conventional materials. Collaborating with worldwide experts in the field to facilitate R&Ds is highly encouraged
• Support the efforts for the issues that would arise from the beam-materials interactions, such as radioactive gas (e.g. tritium) release from the beam-intercepting materials due to diffusion.
• Provide guidance to junior materials scientists / engineers for their growth in the field of nuclear materials science.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Nuclear Materials

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree with 10+ years of experience in nuclear materials and proven track record
• Knowledgeable about high-temperature materials and radiation damage in materials
• Experience in
  • Characterization of materials irradiated by energetic ionizing particles
  • PIE techniques
  • Radiation transport calculations (PHITS, MARS, MCNP, FLUKA, etc)
  • Thermo-mechanical analyses
  • Radioactive materials handling
  • Radiation safety
• Worldly recognized leader in the field of expertise (nuclear materials)

Desired Qualifications

Experience in

• Vacuum components (<10e-4 Pa)
• Handling of dispersive radioactive materials
• Handling of tritium

Required Application Materials

• CV
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for three references 

Special Instructions

Questions related to the above position can be directed to Sarah Powell (powells@frib.msu.edu)

Review of Applications Begins On

08/01/2023

Website

www.frib.msu.edu

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.