Glenn T. Seaborg Initiative

Postdoctoral Fellows

Goal

The goal is to advance actinide science in a comprehensive project that ties research with ORNL’s missions.

Mechanism

The Seaborg Initiative obtains funding internally through LDRD and externally from sponsors. The program provides approximately half-time support and a modest amount of M&S funds. The appointments cover a two-year period.

Candidates

Successful candidates must be approved for division funding by the ORNL postdoctoral program and be performing research that is tied to actinide or isotope science.

How to apply

Both US and non-US citizens are eligible to apply, but US citizenship may be required for some research. Postdocs interested in submitting an application for a postdoctoral position must follow the steps outlined below.

 

Advanced Nuclear Fuels for Nonproliferation Applications program Call

Deadline: August 31, 2023

Topic of Interest

This call is supported by the Advanced Nuclear Fuels for Nonproliferation Applications program. This program focuses on developing new nuclear fuel forms and increasing the permissible service envelopes of known nuclear fuels in collaboration with industry and other DOE laboratories. The program’s goal is to screen and advance fuel concepts and materials technologies to enable high performance, compact nuclear reactors for remote power generation, space exploration, and other demanding environments. This objective requires advances in manufacturing technologies, improved understanding of nuclear fuel properties as a function of processing variables, development of novel test irradiation capabilities, and enhanced post irradiation examination methodologies. This call will specifically focus on topics related to solid state processing of actinide materials, radiation effects in actinide compounds or nuclear fuel systems, and property measurements relevant to development of nuclear fuel forms.

 

Application Process and Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from April 1, 2023, through August 31, 2023, for positions starting in the 2023/2024 timeframe. Positions will support one postdoc for two years.

 

You must first apply for the GTSI postdoctoral fellowship on the ORNL Jobs website. Visit jobs.ornl.gov and search for “ORNL GTSI Program.” Click on the job link and complete the application as directed.

 

Within 2 weeks following completion of your application, please e-mail the following documents to palmerre@ornl.gov . Please note all supporting documents are due no later than August 31th at 5 pm EST:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Current CV
  3. Unofficial transcripts
  4. Three letters of recommendation (one must be from Ph. D. advisor)
  5. Designated postdoctoral mentor
  6. A concise (2 page maximum, template here) research proposal related to the topic of interest

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • To be eligible you must have completed a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, engineering, or a related field within the last 5 years
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

 

Selection Process

The Seaborg Postdoctoral Researcher Internal Review Committee will evaluate applications based on candidate excellence and relevance of the proposed research topic.

  • Proposed Seaborg Researcher research project
    • Creativity and innovation
    • Impact on program’s mission
    • Research approach
  • Proposed Seaborg Researcher candidate
    • Strength of candidate

Successful candidates must be approved by the ORNL Postdoc Program before receiving funding and performing research. Final selections will be made by the Seaborg Initiative Leadership Team based on rankings, programmatic balance, project strategic importance, and budget.

 

Performance Requirements

The Seaborg Postdoctoral Researcher Program requires performance metrics of activities and resource management reporting. Successful Seaborg Postdoctoral Researchers are required to report project activities and to participate in program activities with funding dependent upon compliance with these requirements:

  1. Recipients are required to participate in the Actinide Science Lecture Series by both attending and presenting scientific lectures on actinide science in this Series
  2. Submission of a viewgraph and detailed proposal outlining goals within a month of starting postdoctoral appointment.
  3. Provision of a list of project publications and presentations each fiscal quarter.
  4. Acknowledgement of NNSA Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D) as a financial contributor in all publications or presentations.
  5. Upon completion of the appointment, the recipient will be required to submit short reports on research progress, publications, presentations, and future employment status.
  6. Must have an ORCiD account.

 

 

 

 

Plutonium-238 Supply Program program Call

Deadline: August 31, 2023

Topic of Interest

This call is supported by the Plutonium-238 Supply Program which seeks to reestablish a domestic supply of heat source plutonium-238 oxide in support of NASA’s deep space and planetary exploration missions.  This call will focus on advancing the understanding of liquid-liquid extraction and ion exchange techniques as applied to the chemical separations needed within the Plutonium-238 Supply Program.  Research which considers the study of redox chemistry as applied to neptunium/plutonium nitrate solutions is of specific interest.

Basic Qualifications:

  • To be eligible you must have completed a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, engineering, or a related field within the last 5 years
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Application Process and Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from April 15, 2023, through August 31, 2023, for positions starting in the 2023/2024 timeframe. Positions will support one postdoc for two years.

You must first apply for the GTSI postdoctoral fellowship on the ORNL Jobs website. Visit jobs.ornl.gov and search for “ORNL GTSI Program.” Click on the job link and complete the application as directed. To be eligible you must have completed a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, engineering, or a related field with in the last 5 years.

Within 2 weeks following completion of your application, please e-mail the following documents to palmerre@ornl.gov . Please note all supporting documents are due no later than August 31th at 5 pm EST:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Current CV
  3. Unofficial transcripts
  4. Three letters of recommendation (one must be from Ph. D. advisor)
  5. Designated postdoctoral mentor
  6. A concise (2 page max, template here) research proposal related to the topic of interest

 

Selection Process

The Seaborg Postdoctoral Researcher Internal Review Committee will evaluate applications based on candidate excellence and relevance of the proposed research topic.

  • Proposed Seaborg Researcher research project
    • Creativity and innovation
    • Impact on program’s mission
    • Research approach
  • Proposed Seaborg Researcher candidate
    • Strength of candidate

Successful candidates must be approved by the ORNL Postdoc Program before receiving funding and performing research. Final selections will be made by the Seaborg Initiative Leadership Team based on rankings, programmatic balance, project strategic importance, and budget.

 

Performance Requirements

The Seaborg Postdoctoral Researcher Program requires performance metrics of activities and resource management reporting. Successful Seaborg Postdoctoral Researchers are required to report project activities and to participate in program activities with funding dependent upon compliance with these requirements:

  1. Recipients are required to participate in the Actinide Science Lecture Series by both attending and presenting scientific lectures on actinide science in this Series
  2. Submission of a viewgraph and detailed proposal outlining goals within a month of starting postdoctoral appointment.
  3. Provision of a list of project publications and presentations each fiscal quarter.
  4. Acknowledgement of the DOE-NE as a financial contributor in all publications or presentations.
  5. Upon completion of the appointment, the recipient will be required to submit short reports on research progress, publications, presentations, and future employment status.
  6. Must have an ORCiD account.