Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Nuclear Reactor Engineering and Safety - UTK

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Software Engineering · Full-time

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 70k-75k / year

Posted on Oct 6, 2026

This position involves computational research on nuclear power plant operation, design, and safety. Focusing on flexible operation of nuclear energy by improving integration with other energy sources, including advancing the technology readiness of control capable of dividing thermal and electrical power to support electricity grids while increasing plant revenue.

The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and partners like other universities and National Laboratories to support nuclear engineering programs. The appointment would be a limited term appointment, approximately 1 year with the possibility of renewal for future years. The end goal after the appointment would be for you to secure a permanent position that is compatible with your interest.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
This position involves the flexible operation of nuclear power plants, including the design and safety of nuclear reactors coupled to both electricity and non-electricity applications. The main focus is on the existing fleet. Additional opportunities involve applications of artificial intelligence to nuclear and studies of accelerator driven systems. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and partners like other universities and National Laboratories to support nuclear engineering programs.

Required Qualifications: Position requires a Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering, or an equivalent field. A well-established track record of research in nuclear engineering.

Preferred Qualifications: Programming experience for workflow development, scientific computing, and data analysis and visualization. Excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills. Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory. Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN

  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • Anticipated hiring range: $70,000 - $75,000
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit and online application with the follow materials:

  • A letter of interest

  • Curriculum vitae

  • Contact information for three professional references

For questions or inquiries please contact Prof. Brown, email: nbrown49@utk.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The best application date is October 23, 2026.

About The Department

The Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, established in 1957, was the first of its kind and is considered one of the most prestigious in the United States. Its mission is supported by internationally recognized faculty and advanced research programs, enhanced by close ties with institutions such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Y-12 Nuclear Security Complex, UCOR, and the East Tennessee Technology Park, as well as over one hundred nuclear-related companies within fifty miles of Knoxville. The department offers programs, with its graduate program consistently ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Development and evaluation of models for nuclear power plants and systems using open information. The work includes developing and applying general and plant-specific light water computational tools that can be used to help design, test, and optimize dynamic thermal energy extraction and delivery and electricity dispatch. This includes normal operation, anticipated operational occurrences, and accident scenarios. Work with multi-disciplinary teams to apply modeling and simulation techniques for flexible operation of nuclear power plants. Publishing papers in high-quality refereed journals. Actively collaborating with industry, academia, government labs, and applications developers in a variety of venues.

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