Postdoctoral Research Associate - Chemical Engineering

General Summary of Position:

The Integrated Nuclear Security and Safeguards Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Lowell invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support a DOE/NNSA-funded initiative focused on advancing expertise in uranium fuel cycle processes. The postdoc will work at the intersection of nuclear chemical engineering, computational modeling, and performing laboratory experiments. The successful candidate will contribute to research on uranium dissolution, separations, and conversions. Experimental or computational experience is required to support development and application of computational tools to simulate or conduct experiments to validate key fuel cycle processes.

This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and national laboratory partners (e.g., ORNL, PNNL) in training the next generation of nuclear chemical engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research and development on uranium fuel cycle chemistry, including dissolution, separations, and conversion processes, with an emphasis on pre-irradiated uranium processing.
• Develop, implement, and validate computational models of uranium chemical processes and integrated flowsheets, including effluent and emission signatures.
• Design and perform laboratory experiments that support model development and process validation.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students engaged in the project's educational mission.
• Contribute to technical progress reports, publications, and presentations for DOE/NNSA and scientific audiences.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Radiochemistry, or a closely related field (degree must be completed by appointment start).
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of the nuclear fuel cycle, particularly uranium dissolution, separations, or conversion chemistry.
• Experience with computational modeling and simulation of chemical or nuclear systems or hands-on laboratory skills applicable to chemical process development, validation, and safety.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports, develop and present course modules and peer-reviewed publications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with flowsheet modeling or system-level process integration (e.g., Aspen Plus, gPROMS, custom Python/Matlab frameworks).
• Familiarity with uncertainty quantification/sensitivity analysis methods.
• Prior work with DOE laboratories or collaborative research projects in nuclear chemical engineering experiments.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor students in research settings.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only current UML Employees within the Grants & Contracts (MTA/GRACE) bargaining unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; however, the posting may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

This position is contingent upon funding, productivity, successful performance and the availability of funding.

This position is grant-funded, benefited position in grade PD. The formal salary range is $50,000 - $76,000, with an anticipated starting salary of $56,000.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.