The Chemical and Fuel Cycle Technologies division at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking to develop processes to support molten salt reactor (MSRs) fuel cycles, including synthesis of fuel materials and recycling of used MSR salts.
Requirements
- Knowledge and experience with analytical techniques such as XRD and SEM.
- Skill in devising and performing experiments to acquire data, using and maintaining research equipment, compiling, evaluating, and reporting test results.
- Experience with molten salt systems, actinide chemistry, or electrochemistry is desired, but not mandatory.
- Experience working safely with hazardous materials in engineering controls such as gloveboxes or hoods is desired, but not mandatory.
Responsibilities
- Apply engineering principles to develop molten salt synthesis and separations processes to support fuel cycle science and technology.
- Develop and test new electrodes for use in molten salt environments.
- Analyze products for impurity content through techniques such as XRD and SEM-EDS to ensure that products meet sponsor requirements.
- Develop innovative research directions to advance molten salt science.
- Develop and optimize process chemistries to synthesize chloride and fluoride species, recover metals and oxides from molten salts, evaluate the purity and morphology of the products, and develop underlying understanding of the reaction kinetics and mechanisms behind these processes.
Other
- Recent (within the last five years) or soon-to-be completed Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field with zero to three years of experience or equivalent.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
- Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract.
- Ability to pass illegal drug testing as defined in 10 CFR 707.4 and a background investigation prior to employment.
