Instrumentation and Control Engineering Postdoctoral Research Associate

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

19d • Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Instrumentation and Control Engineering for its Department of Plant Optimization. The role supports research and development focused on introducing digital technologies—including instrumentation, control, superintelligence, machine learning, and robotics—to the commercial nuclear power sector. The work aims to help transform plant operation and maintenance from a highly labor-intensive approach to a human-led, digital- and automation-centric approach.

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to an interdisciplinary R&D team, working independently and collaboratively and completing tasks assigned by project managers, principal investigators, and team members. The role calls for bringing new insights to develop innovative ideas, address challenges, and increase the impact of the team's work. Duties also include writing scientific manuscripts for journal publication and milestone reports, and presenting research findings at conferences and meetings.

The position is based at INL's Idaho Falls facility and follows a 9 x 80 schedule, with every other Friday off. The annual pay is $105,144. Compensation decisions consider education, relevant experience, and other credentials. INL offers benefits and relocation support, subject to eligibility factors including employment status and position classification.

Requirements

• PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, or Nuclear Engineering, or a comparable discipline.
• PhD requirements must be completed by the commencement of the appointment and within the previous five years.
• Demonstrated oral and published written communication skills in English.
• Experience in one or more of the following: design, analysis, modification, or evaluation of digital instrumentation and control systems; programmable logic controllers, distributed control systems, field-programmable gate arrays, embedded digital devices, or industrial communication networks; development of experimental testbeds integrating digital hardware and software; digital system architectures, including redundancy, independence, separation, defense-in-depth, diversity, and failure-mode analysis; or proficiency in one or more programming or engineering-analysis languages and tools such as Python, C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, and LabVIEW.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with software or system development life-cycle activities, including requirements development, design, implementation, integration, verification, validation, and testing.
• Experience evaluating software, firmware, communication systems, and digital-system reliability and cybersecurity.
• Experience with safety-related or important-to-safety digital systems used in nuclear power plants, research reactors, or other safety-critical facilities.
• Experience with superintelligence and machine learning, including large language models.
• Experience with robotics and computer vision, including vision language models.

Responsibilities

• Support R&D activities introducing digital technologies for use in the commercial nuclear power sector.
• Contribute independently and collaboratively to an interdisciplinary R&D team.
• Complete tasks as directed by project managers, principal investigators, and other team members.
• Bring fresh insights to propose innovative ideas, overcome challenges, and enhance the impact of the team's work.
• Write scientific manuscripts for journal publication and milestone reports.
• Present research findings at conferences and meetings.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match for regular positions, or self-contribute access for postdoctoral positions
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive relocation package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree