Scientist I

Job Summary:

The University of Madison Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics seeks to hire a research scientist to support a 4-year Fusion Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) in Fusion Neutrons for Integrated Blanket Technology Development Through Advanced Testing and Design, funded by the U.S. DOE Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES). UW-Madison is working with academic, national lab and industry partners to deliver a cross-cutting research project culminating in first-of-its-kind integrated fusion blanket system testing. Partners include MIT, SHINE, EPRI, Realta Fusion, Rockwell Automation, Argonne National Laboratory, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and University of New Mexico.

Additionally, the UW-Madison Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics is leading an FES funded project investigating hydrogen isotope retention in fusion materials through elevated-temperature 14 MeV neutron irradiations, in partnership with SHINE Technologies’ FLARE facility. This project will neutron irradiate additively manufactured W, Ta, V44, and Eurofer97 specimens, at temperatures between 500-800°C, before subsequent deuterium charging and thermal desorption spectroscopy.

Both of these projects will combine to address a crucial gap in the development of fusion pilot plants (FPPs): the development and validation of integrated blanket technology in prototypical environments - particularly under the irradiation of 14 MeV D-T neutrons, at elevated temperatures, and with high-magnetic fields - to demonstrate representative performance of key components and systems. Guided by industry-informed use cases, the FIRE collaborative will manufacture and test advanced components for blankets (PbLi and FLiBe) made from materials paired with these coolants (RAFM-SiC and V44-W), under prototypic conditions, and using state-of-the-art U.S. facilities including FLARE and WHAM.

Integration across the FIRE project is delivered through a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methodology, which leverages advanced AI/ML techniques to improve validation and computational design of fusion energy systems. This will include collaboration with the experiments being performed at FLARE, WHAM and other facilities throughout the collaborative, but we also target collaboration with tritium breeding and high heat flux experiments at other FIRE collaboratives for improved high-fidelity predictions and accelerate design innovation.

UW-Madison is seeking an early career fusion technologist to drive technical integration efforts tasks across the collaborative; identify new and emergent research opportunities; and support project reporting and data management.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Work with the Principal Investigators (Assistant Professors Benjamin Lindley and Charles Hirst) and project manager on ensuring successful execution of this multidisciplinary project across six work streams.
• Perform cutting-edge research on computational multiphysics modelling for code validation against experiments, development of AI/ML reduced order models and enhanced fusion energy system design, anticipated to include OpenMC and the MOOSE tools.
• Seek opportunities to collaborate with and add value to other FIRE collaboratives and other activities within the DOE FES program, in particular in cross-cutting validation activities.
• Support future and supplemental research proposals and new fusion technology initiatives to ensure the research performed maintains alignment with programmatic needs.
• Synergize experimental results and computational models across both projects.
• Mentor graduate students.
• Disseminate project outputs, including through developing and maintaining a project github repository
• Prepare project reports and presentations in conjunction with the Principal Investigators

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assists with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures
• Serves as a main point of contact and liaison with internal and external stakeholders providing information and representing the interests of a specialized research area
• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility
• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information