Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Analysis of Plasma Facing Component Performance - UTK

University Of Tennessee College
University Of Tennessee College

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 72k-75k / year

Posted on Jul 24, 2026
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The Department of Nuclear Engineering is seeking a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to work on the Analysis of Plasma Facing Component Performance. This position involves computational research to evaluate the response to high heat flux environments associated with the design of plasma facing components involving tungsten-based materials for the magnetic fusion energy environment.

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.

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Post-Doctoral Research Associate – Analysis of Plasma Facing Component Performance. This position involves computational research to evaluate the response to high heat flux environments associated with the design of plasma facing components involving tungsten-based materials for the magnetic fusion energy environment.

Required Qualifications:

  • Position requires a Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or an equivalent field.

  • The successful applicant will be a PhD graduate, with demonstrated experience with continuum scale material modeling techniques.

  • The candidate must have a good publication record of peer-reviewed, archival journal publications that documents the ability to contribute to, perform, and interpret cluster dynamics simulations.

  • Computer proficiency in programming, word processing, and presentation graphics is required.

  • Applications for soon to be graduates will be accepted.

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN

  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • Anticipated hiring range: $72,000 - $75,000
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • A letter of application

  • Curriculum vitae

For questions or inquiries please contact Prof. Brian Wirth, email: bdwirth@utk.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The researcher will have experience with computational modeling analysis and the use of inverse analysis to determine spatial and temporal dependent temperature distributions within the high heat flux components based on experimental data including infrared spectroscopy. The post-doc will work within a diverse and energetic team in the development of these capabilities and interface with research scientists at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of model benchmarking and experimental validation. Additional duties include technical interactions with graduate students, contributing to and developing new research initiatives, and writing technical reports and peer reviewed scientific journal articles.

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