Research Asst Professor

UNM Nuclear Engineering Department seeks a Research Assistant Professor to lead modeling, simulation, and experimental work on passive decay heat removal in fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (FHRs) under molten salt leakage accident conditions. The position supports a funded research program spanning 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 conduct independent research, contribute to proposals and publications, and help mentor graduate students. This is a full-time, grant-funded appointment with an initial one-year term and the possibility of renewal.

Key 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