Job Opportunity!

November 12, 2015

We have several research assistant opportunities available in Nuclear Engineering that we want to advertise.  Both of these positions require a background in computer science.  Classwork in statistics, image processing, and algorithms is required for this position.  Applicants must be US Citizens.

Project Title: Investigation of Morphological Characteristics of U-Materials
Description: This project uses a systematic approach to identify morphological signatures from advanced analytics combining data from multiple techniques for the forensic determination of the origin and history of interdicted nuclear materials. We are looking to develop techniques to determine morphological signature sets of Uranium oxides, quantitatively describe the morphologies using the domain specific software, and statistically correlate changes in signature sets with time, temperature, and humidity.


Project Title: Identification of Morphological and Oxygen Isotopic Signatures of Uranium Oxides
Description: Oxygen atoms from meteoric water are incorporated in uranium materials during synthesis, and oxidation and/or hydration during storage under temperature and relative humidity. We are investigating the isotope ratio as a signature for identification of provenance and process history of uranium materials used in the
production of nuclear weapons.  To accurately monitor temporal changes in the ratios, an oxygen isotope standard will be developed to calibrate measurements using of state-of-the-art instrumentation. Bulk ratios will be measured using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The physiochemical signatures and changes in microstructure will be monitored using high-resolution scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

If interested, please contact Luther McDonald (luther.mcdonald@utah.edu) or Liz Jurrus (liz@sci.utah.edu).