Russell L. Heath Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate

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Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking candidates for the Russell Heath Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate Appointment. This appointment is awarded to early career scientists and engineers with interest in advancing the fields of nuclear energy, critical infrastructure protection, and clean energy deployment. Ideal candidates have exceptional talent, scientific track records, and potential for significant achievements. This appointment may support candidates represented broadly by the fields of nuclear engineering, material science, computational science, separations science, power engineering, wireless technology, or systems analysis. 

A PhD in a science or engineering discipline that is closely related to INL's mission
PhD must be completed by commencement of appointment and within the previous three years
Demonstrated independence and leadership potential
Preference will be given to candidates who:
Possess a PhD degree from a prestigious university
Are from a prestigious graduate program in their field of research, and/or have completed a research experience or Postdoc appointment at a premier institution   Special Requirements and/or Training: 
Current INL postdocs or individuals who have previously completed an INL postdoc position are ineligible to apply. Ability to secure a US DOE L-clearance may be needed depending on the specific work scope match to the selected candidate's interests and skills. Annual Salary: $107,604   Please submit the following with your online application:

• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial transcripts
• Letter of interest including:
  • Long-term professional goals
  • Dates of availability
  • Descriptions of disciplinary strengths and disciplinary areas in which candidate desires continued research
  • Maximum length: Two pages in letter format (U.S. 8.5 x 1, single sided)
• Bibliography of publications, preprints, and significant presentations (if not already listed in CV)
• One peer reviewed publication preprint or reprint of candidate's choice
• Abstract of Doctoral Dissertation
• Three letters of recommendation (letters can be either uploaded with online application, or emailed to jason.ratliff@inl.gov)
• One recommendation must be from Ph.D. advisor
• Proposed Short Research Plan including:
  • Research to be addressed
  • Conjectures or hypotheses to be tested
  • Proposed methods of investigation and the guiding, relevant theoretical frameworks
  • Schedule, unburdened budget, major equipment needs, and other necessary resources
  • Maximum length: Two pages (U.S. 8.5 x 11, single sided)

Proposed Short Research Plan including:

• Project description/abstract: A stand-alone paragraph that should be understandable to a technically literate lay reader. Please include a problem statement, the knowledge gap being filled, and a very brief overview of the proposed solution to fill the gap. Please be explicit about why the project is innovative (reference state of the art in field). State the potential impact of the research.
• Significance: Describe the scientific/technical problem that the proposal addresses, explain why this problem is significant, and introduce the proposed novel approach for addressing this problem (please explicitly call out what is novel). How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field and across different fields? Is it closely related to work being done at INL, at other DOE laboratories, or elsewhere
• Research Plan: Provide a brief overview of research plan and objectives (specific aims). For each objective/aim: (i) provide a description of the scientific hypothesis to be tested or technical concepts to be demonstrated to achieve the objective/aim, (ii) discuss the methods, materials, facilities, protocols to be employed, and techniques for analyzing data and validating results as appropriate, (iii) describe the expected results and impacts (e.g., fundamental breakthroughs, enabling technologies).
• Products and Deliverables: How will this project contribute to achieving INL's mission, or what question will we be able to answer that we couldn't answer previously? i.e., "at the end of this project we will have a greater understanding of X, which matters because of Y." Publications and conference presentation are encouraged.
• Potential for Follow-On Activities: Describe how the results will be disseminated; include likely journals in which this would be published and conferences, workshops, and planning activities at which the work would be presented.
• Schedule and Budget: Present the estimated, unburdened budgets and personnel time for each task described. Materials, subcontracts and travel budgets should be listed as well.
• Maximum length: Two pages (U.S. 8.5 x 11, single sided) 

INL Overview:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is changing the world's energy future and securing our infrastructure! Join us - innovate the future!

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 5,000 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and development technologies that underpin the nation's nuclear and renewable energy, national security, and environmental missions.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements: To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Women and People of Color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

Benefits, Salary, and Relocation:

We have an extremely competitive salary structure, robust relocation package, and phenomenal benefits. For more information, please visit: https://www.inl.gov/careers/benefits-overview/. .