Engineering Scientist Associate - Data Analytics for Nuclear Engineering Application

Job Posting Title:

Engineering Scientist Associate - Data Analytics for Nuclear Engineering Application

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Hiring Department:

Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

Applications are invited for multiple Engineering Scientist Associate positions with a focus on data analytics of operational data from a nuclear reactor in support of the development of digital twins and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.  These positions in the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering program, at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) are to categorize, label, and comprehend real-time, and time-delayed, data streams from the operating nuclear reactor on UT’s J.J. Pickle Research Campus as part of the Digital Molten Salt Reactor Initiative (D’MSRI).

This position is based on currently available funding that will continue through August 31, 2027.  Extensions beyond this time are possible, based on the availability of funding.

Purpose

The Digital Molten Salt Reactor Initiative (D’MSRI) is a program funded by the state of Texas to develop a long-term research program at UT that centers on the use of digital twins to enable the licensing of innovations for advanced reactors in Texas.  This project includes a suite of initiatives that include the development of digital twins for physical systems at many institutions, development of high-fidelity, multiphysics software that models advanced reactors, economic and policy drivers that may be implemented at the state and national level to encourage innovation in advanced reactors, and business development to engage with the nuclear industry to enable them to recognize the value of digital twins. 

Responsibilities

• Data analysis of real-time (measured and simulated) data on-site at the nuclear reactor
• Data analysis of simulated data generated on the high-performance computers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center
• Incorporation of automated tagging of operator and experimenter actions that impact reactor operation
• Database management of the measured and simulated data using SQL or similar tools
• Statistical analysis of measured and simulated data using R, Python, and similar
• Development of reduced order and bias correction models based on the operational and simulated data
• Development of Python software for automated data analysis
• Communication of the data to improve utilization by reactor operators, users of the reactor for experiments, nuclear software developers, and education of the general public.

Required Qualifications

• A BS in mathematics, data science, computational science, or a related field;
• Experience using Python for data analysis; and
• Understanding of foundational with data analytics methods.

Preferred Qualifications

• US citizenship is preferred due to access requirements at the nuclear reactor
• Experience using or creating data analytics software for nuclear systems
• Experience using modern software development practices, facilities, and programming.

Salary Range

$70,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Work in an academic research environment.
• Working in lab environment.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Required Materials

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• 3 work references with their contact information
• Letter of interest addressed to Dr. Clarno that includes a 100-200 word narrative of experience with nuclear analysis software and contact information for three academic and/or professional references

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.