Research Asst Professor

University of New Mexico•Albuquerque, NM

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of New Mexico Nuclear Engineering Department is seeking a Research Assistant Professor to lead modeling, simulation, and experimental work focused on passive decay heat removal in fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (FHRs) under molten salt leakage accident conditions. This role supports a funded research program that includes system-level modeling, transient multi-physics simulation, comparative analysis of ex-core cooling strategies (RCCS and PRACS), and validation against a reduced-scale salt leak test facility. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting independent research, contributing to proposals and publications, and mentoring graduate students. This is a full-time, grant-funded position with an initial one-year term, renewable based on performance and funding.

Requirements

PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field
Demonstrated research experience in thermal-hydraulics, heat transfer, or reactor physics, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
Proficiency in scientific programming with MATLAB or Python
Hands-on experience with at least one thermal-hydraulics, CFD, or reactor analysis code (for example, MELCOR, STAR-CCM+ or an equivalent tool.).
Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
Must be a US Citizen or US Permanent resident/Green Card holder.

Nice To Haves

Research experience with advanced or Generation IV reactors, particularly molten salt or fluoride-salt-cooled systems.
Familiarity with passive safety systems such as RCCS or PRACS and with decay heat removal under accident conditions.
Experience coupling neutronics and thermal-hydraulics codes, or with multi-physics frameworks.
Experience designing, building, or operating thermal-hydraulic test facilities, including instrumentation, scaling analysis, and high-temperature molten salt loops.
A record of contributing to research proposals and mentoring students.
Knowledge of the reactor licensing process and related safety analysis.
A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and the success of the University's mission to serve local and global communities.

Responsibilities

Develop system-level models of FHR cores and reactor cavity cooling systems to capture transient decay heat generation and removal under salt-loss conditions, using MATLAB or Python.
Perform coupled neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, and burn-up analysis, and conduct CFD studies (RANS with conjugate heat transfer) to identify post-shutdown temperature hotspots.
Compare ex-core decay heat removal strategies (RCCS versus PRACS) using in-house models and/or MELCOR, and quantify removal efficiency, response time, and safety margins.
Support scaling analysis and the design, construction, and operation of a reduced-scale RCCS and salt facility, and use the experimental data to validate and refine the computational models.
Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and proposal material, and present results to sponsors and at conferences.
Co-advise and train graduate and undergraduate researchers.