Postdoctoral Appointee - Nuclear Engineer - Military Veterans

The Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) division advances the design and operation of nuclear energy systems and applies nuclear energy-related expertise to current and emerging programs of national and international significance. NSE is looking to add a well-qualified Postdoctoral Appointee that may be able to support a range of activities, including:

• Develop innovative approaches for assessing nuclear reactor risk and safety, such as probabilistic risk analysis and other risk-informed methods


• Understand regulation, guidance, and standards for nuclear reactor licensing/authorization and develop strategies for satisfying applicable requirements.


• Investigate performance of nuclear fission reactors and contribute to optimization of reactor design and operational strategies.


• Perform analyses associated with the assessment of reactor safety.


• Communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, and the Laboratory community through research reports, project presentations, and other regular channels.


• Analyze data and document results in the form of monthly reports, progress reports to sponsors, and technical publications and presentations; prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed publications, attend and make presentations at scientific meetings.


• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of pertinent literature.


• Develop new ideas, concepts, and/or research proposals to contribute to programmatic growth.

Position Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Knowledge of one or more specialized areas of nuclear, mechanical, or reliability engineering.


• Knowledge of nuclear engineering principles, theories, and practices for the design and analysis of reactor systems.


• Skill in the conception, design, and evaluation of innovative approaches and solutions to quantitative problems.


• Basic knowledge of nuclear reactor safety principles, theories, and practices.


• Basic knowledge of nuclear reactor licensing/authorization regulation and guidance.


• Demonstrated interpersonal, oral, and written communication.


• Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.


• Ability to make our laboratory a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment where all can thrive.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Knowledge of risk and reliability principles, theories, and practices, such as risk-informed approaches.


• Knowledge of nuclear systems and nuclear system modeling and simulation.

This level of knowledge is typically achieved through a formal education in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field at the Ph.D. degree level with zero to five years of experience or equivalent in the scientific application of this knowledge and practical experience.

Job Family
Postdoctoral Family

Job Profile
Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type
Full time

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.