Technical Resource and Outreach Coordinator

Requisition Id 11020 

Overview: 

To meet the enormous scientific and technical challenge of rapidly developing fusion energy, the Fusion Energy Division (FED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Technical Resource and Outreach Coordinator. The selected candidate will have a unique opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the technical challenges needed to develop a future fusion power plant while playing a critical role in enabling success.  The development of new facilities and technology programs requires urgent and expanded focus into a wide array of science/engineering/technology disciplines. Leveraging their familiarity with multiple projects across FED and technical community network, the Technical Resource and Outreach Coordinator will accelerate progress in fusion by actively identifying new project opportunities and connecting new and existing projects to needed expertise, both internally and externally. 

The primary responsibilities will be to:

• Guide successful project planning and execution by working with multiple project investigators, universities, and companies to identify project needs, both near and long term and develop coherent work plans consistent with skill set and career development (i.e. develop efficient paths to train and fund staff for fusion careers)
• Improve efficiency, transparency, and focus in solving research and technology challenges by accelerating knowledge transfer mechanisms, such as arranging for ORNL staff to give technical fusion seminars at external institutions and planning fusion learning seminars or topical workshops at ORNL
• Familiarize students and staff with the full range of technical resources and capabilities at the Lab, technical tutorials or resources, and appropriate mentors so that they can rapidly thrive in their new role.
• Serve as primary FED technical liaison for intern engagement in Division activities, including advocating for staff to take on intern projects, making connections between interested staff and prospective interns, and coordinating Division activities supporting the intern experience
• Serve as the primary technical outreach coordinator for the Division, working with fusion communications specialists to develop and maintain technical content in outreach materials and serving as technical representative at appropriate career fairs and conferences
• Work with the Talent Acquisition Partner to provide fusion career information, updated ORNL job opportunities, and other targeted content for websites and other venues
• Make and maintain connections and relations with a broad technical network at institutions, universities, private enterprises, and other organizations with a specific focus to promote fusion energy research and workforce pipeline for career opportunities
• Provide program support to principal investigators in executing excellence in their Promoting Inclusivity and Equitable Research (PIER) plans
• Interface with Principal Investigators and ORNL Human Resources to ensure resources (such as PIER training) are effectively communicated and utilized
• Support grant writing efforts and facilitate coordination of multiple funding paths to achieve research and PIER plan goals
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s in Physics, Engineering, or other STEM field
• Passion for developing fusion energy to enable a sustainable future!
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with a diverse team at various career stages in a range of scientific and engineering disciplines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter who takes initiative and solves problems independently.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and move rapidly from one task area to another.
• Ability to adapt to ever changing needs, adjust or extend working hours, and travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, or other STEM field.
• Experience in fusion research or education through plasma physics, nuclear engineering, or related field.
• Interest in understanding the broad technical challenges needed to develop a future fusion power plant.
• Experience seeing projects through the full life cycle, with projects completed according to outlined scope, budget, and timeline
• Ability to; (1) understand new concepts quickly; (2) apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; and (3) organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases.
• Basic knowledge or willingness to learn project management software tools, methodologies, and best practices
• Demonstrated experience or desire to mentor early-career or student researchers along their path of development.
• Scientific research ability demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and/or presentations at technical conferences.
• Experience at a large-scale experimental physics project or scientific user facility. 

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
If you have trouble applying for a position, please email [email protected].
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.