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SalaryDESCRIPTION
The purpose of this position in Fuel Fabrication Science and Technology Section (FFS&T) is to support and deliver R&D fuel fabrication projects and activities. The position is essential to maintain equipment and laboratories in working condition; ensure compliance activities are carried out; develop new material fabrication methods and experimental set ups; deliver projects that require (active or inactive) sample preparation, characterization, possibly fuel repackaging; and develop strategies to carry out those activities. The selected candidate would be contributing to commercial and FST projects working on conventional and novel fuel fabrication methods such as Additive Manufacturing and Spark Plasma Sintering.
The FFS&T section’s activities include the fabrication and prototyping of nuclear fuel. These activities are targeted at the supporting the research and development needs for the Canadian nuclear industry. The section has been supporting the nuclear fuel R&D needs for the current fleet of CANDU reactors. The section also has completed production scale campaigns such as refueling the SLOWPOKE research reactors. Currently, the section is focused on building the fuel fabrication capability necessary to support the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMR). This includes fabrication and characterization of novel nuclear fuel materials such as molten salts and TRISO. The FFS&T section also leads the world in additive manufacturing of ceramic nuclear fuel materials and was the first group to report on this topic in 2018.
INTRO
The Advanced Fuels and Reactor Physics Branch develops technologies for fabrication of advanced nuclear fuels, measures fuel material properties, fabricates and irradiates fuels in research reactors, conducts post-irradiation examinations to study the fuel performance characteristics, and conducts reactor physics calculations and experiments in ZED-2 research reactor.
The Fuel R&D Technical Officer supports activities in the Fuel Materials Section, which include: the thermo-physical properties measurements of nuclear fuel and other materials such as molten salts, required to support the development of advanced fuel materials; performance evaluation including safety, and increase of thermal properties knowledge. Tasks are multi-disciplinary, and include interfacing with staff from: advanced fuel manufacturing, hot-cells, physics, thermal hydraulics, safety, analytical chemistry, etc.
DUTIES
Functions and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Operation and maintenance of equipment in the FFS&T section, including furnaces, 3D printers, balances, microscopes.
- Preparation and/or characterization of specimens using metallography, chemical analysis, crystallography and thermo-physical characterization.
- Processing raw data manually and using automated data reduction schemes; reporting and interpreting experimental results;
- Contributing to, reviewing and/or writing reports, test plans, procedures, quality assurance documents, etc.;
- Maintaining records (databases, formal and informal documentation, lab notebooks, etc.);
- Preparing radioactive and non-radioactive samples for tests, which may include working with fume hoods and shielded facilities.
- Maintaining equipment in good operating condition and known calibration status, maintaining good housekeeping in the labs and offices;
- Work in a multi-disciplinary team environment, maintain a clear focus on team goals, and establish good rapport with groups and individuals of many diverse professions is required;
- Solving technical problems related to equipment, sample preparation and procedures;
- Participating in the safe operation of laboratories and equipment.
- Other duties as assigned by the Branch Manager or Section Head.
- Graduation from a recognized institute of advanced technology, or equivalent formal education, with strong qualifications in chemistry, materials science/engineering, or related science/engineering; two (2) or three (3) years of relevant work experience with scientific instrumentation would be an asset
- The successful candidate must have experience working with chemicals;
- Experience with additive manufacturing techniques are an asset;
- Experience with high vacuum systems, high temperatures, and gas handling is an asset.
- Proficiency in laboratory practices and techniques relevant to materials testing, record-keeping and organization skills;
- Strong computer skills (including Word and Excel). Having a working knowledge of CAD is desirable.
- Knowledge of or experience with data acquisition systems and processing of scientific data;
- Hands-on experience performing complex experiments is desirable;
- A demonstrated commitment to safety is essential;
- Ability to work independently and in teams;
- Aptitude in learning new skills, multitasking, meeting deadlines, and achieving objectives and goals;
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;
- Knowledge of and commitment to quality assurance.
- Experience with evaluation of thermo-physical properties of materials using instruments such as calorimeter, thermogravimeter, dilatometer etc. is an asset.
- Mechanical aptitude is necessary for performing equipment maintenance
- Ability to maintain awareness of surroundings and adopt safe lab practices.
Required Security Clearance Eligibility: Level 2 Secret with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 7 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security”.
EFFORT & WORKING CONDITIONS
- Expected to work with hands in a laboratory setting, with focus on delicate and specialized instruments and small specimen handling.
- Expected to reach out into glove boxes and fume hoods
- Expected to occasionally work longer hours to achieve high priority internal and commercial commitments
- Visual concentration is required for monitoring progress of experiments
- Typing and manual dexterity is required
- Radioisotope laboratory work necessitates mild movement responses to frustration and other emotional triggers.
- Work in moderate radiation hazard environments where personal protective equipment is required. This work will require standing while concentrating on the task at hand for extended periods of time.
- Work location will be in CNL’s controlled area (radiation training provided; must be able to use a respirator; frequent monitoring is necessary; security checkpoints are part of daily routine; daily commute by foot from parking lot to work area is required).
- Food consumption is not generally possible except at lunch time
- Environment demands high vigilance to alarms, lights and signals as a safety requirement. Ability to respond calmly and responsibly to emergency situations.
Why CNL?
Does working with a team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world speak to you? We're reinventing ourselves to be the pace setters, so we can lead the charge in solving the problems that matter, like building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy solutions, developing new and better-targeted cancer treatments, and continuing to lead the world in environmental remediation.
- paid time off (vacation, sick, floater & personal)
- benefits effective day one, that’s right no waiting period
- tuition support
- and a pension!
- Clean energy for today and tomorrow
- Restore and protect the Environment
- Contribute to the health of Canadians
Location:
CNL’s Chalk River laboratory is nestled in the Ottawa Valley and affords our employees an area that is environmentally pristine with extensive forests, hills and numerous small lakes, all of which support a variety of wildlife typical to the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. Many surrounding towns, such as Pembroke, Petawawa and Deep River provide you with unparalleled outdoor adventures at your doorstep! In fact, Deep River was named as the fourth best place to live in Canada in a recent ranking by movingwaldo.com.
CNL works with employees across our Canadian locations to enable a hybrid workforce where possible. Our Hybrid employees work with their manager to establish expectations for when they will be on site vs when they are working from home.
CNL is committed to providing an atmosphere free from barriers that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion in achieving our mission. CNL welcomes and celebrates employees, stakeholders and partners of all racial, cultural, and ethnic identities.
CNL also supports a workplace environment and a corporate culture that is built on our Core Values: Respect, Teamwork, Accountability, Safety, Integrity and Excellence which encourage equitable employment practices and career prospects inclusive of accommodations for all employees.
CNL is committed to being an equal-opportunity employer. If you require accommodation measures during any phase of the hiring process, please indicate via our ATS when applying. All information received in relation to accommodation requests will be kept confidential.
The Chalk River Laboratories site is located on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. As an organization, CNL recognizes and appreciates their historic connection to this place. CNL also recognizes the contributions that First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and this province and country as a whole.
