Molten Salt Research Reactor Director

Abilene Christian University • Abilene, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab at ACU is a world leader in molten salt reactor technology, whose mission is to provide global solutions to the world’s need for energy, water and medical isotopes by advancing the technology of molten salt reactors while educating future leaders in nuclear science and engineering. We are seeking to add a talented reactor director who is eager to lead, learn and explore molten salt reactor technologies with our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. The lab is in the process of building a reactor on site, and the reactor director will oversee and coordinate technical operations related to the reactor. Additionally, the ideal candidate would qualify as a faculty member in the Onstead College of Science and Engineering to contribute to the educational mission of NEXT Lab. The key principle of this job is to support ACU’s mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. Along with this, and the NEXT mission, our core values are the fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that shape our culture, behavior, and decisions. 1. Christ-like Character We lead with humility, integrity, and wisdom. We strive to be honest mentors who reflect Christ in our actions and relationships. 2. Driven to Deliver We take initiative, work hard, and stay curious. We’re proactive, creative problem-solvers who are always learning and pushing forward to get things done. 3. Better Together We believe in the power of collaboration. We communicate openly, support one another, and bring a spirit of respect, fun, and teamwork to everything we do. An ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong desire to integrate into a team that shares our core values and possess the skills listed below. Candidates who align well with our values but may not yet have all of the desired skills may still be considered.

Requirements

• Strong technical knowledge of reactor systems and operations.
• Ability to lead teams under both normal and emergency conditions.
• Strong attention to detail in recordkeeping and compliance.
• Effective communication and mentoring skills.
• Professional Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• NRC Senior Reactor Operator license (or eligibility to obtain).
• Minimum 3–5 years of reactor operations experience in a research or commercial environment.
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing external contractors, and mentoring reactor operators.
• Must be willing to live in the Abilene area.

Nice To Haves

• To be eligible for a dual faculty appointment, a master's or doctoral degree will be required.
• Experience in academic or research institutions preferred.
• Calm and decisive under pressure.
• Commitment to nuclear safety and compliance.
• Strong teamwork and leadership abilities.
• Integrity, accountability, and reliability.
• Dedication to NEXT Lab’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead the MSRR Operations & Control
• Compliance with NRC/DOE Licensing & Operating Procedures
• Operator Training & Mentoring
• Reactor Experiment Support
• Safety & Emergency Preparedness
• Documentation & Records Management
• Continuous Improvement & Maintenance Support
• Operate the MSRR in accordance with NRC/DOE licenses and approved procedures.
• Monitor reactor systems, instrumentation, and controls during operation.
• Perform startup, shutdown, and normal operating evolutions safely and efficiently.
• Maintain an active NRC Senior Reactor Operator license.
• Ensure operations comply with technical specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Report deviations, non-conformances, or abnormal conditions immediately.
• Train and supervise Reactor Operators and student operators.
• Mentor new operators to achieve and maintain NRC operator licensing.
• Evaluate operator performance and provide constructive feedback.
• Support setup and execution of approved experimental activities.
• Ensure experiments comply with reactor safety and licensing limits.
• Collaborate with researchers to integrate experiments into reactor operations.
• Participate in safety drills and emergency preparedness exercises.
• Enforce strict adherence to safety protocols.
• Serve as shift leader during abnormal or emergency situations.
• Ensure completion of accurate reactor logs, operating records, and NRC/DOE required reports.
• Maintain training and qualification records for operators.
• Ensure documentation meets NRC/DOE and internal QA/QC requirements.
• Identify and report issues that impact reactor reliability or efficiency.
• Support maintenance activities by coordinating with engineering staff.
• Participate in corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives.

Benefits

• ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.
• ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees