Job Posting Title:
Program Director of Strategic Initiatives in Nuclear Engineering----
Hiring Department:
Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering----
Position Open To:
All Applicants----
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40----
FLSA Status:
Exempt----
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately----
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027----
Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS----
Job Details:
General Notes
As a top-10 engineering school, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century.
The Nuclear and Radiation Engineering (NRE) area within the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering includes six faculty, along with researchers and students, in the study and application of nuclear and radiation engineering, including imaging, robotics, high-performance computing, reactor design and materials development. The groups provide a supportive community striving to solve the most pressing challenges of the 21st century through world class research, unsurpassed student education, and dedicated service to the community.
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. Through the efforts and successes of D’MSRI, there are several potential major initiatives (>$4M) associated with development of the nuclear workforce.
Purpose
The Director of Strategic Initiatives in Nuclear Engineering position includes responsibilities associated with business and proposal development, external outreach, and workforce development associated with major initiatives that derive from D’MSRI.
Responsibilities
Business and Proposal Development
- Serve as the primary point of contact for engagement with the nuclear industry, fostering strategic relationships and identifying collaborative opportunities to Pursue additional funding opportunities related to the program’s mission
- Lead the development of comprehensive business plans that align with institutional goals and industry needs, including crafting detailed scopes of work, establishing realistic timelines, and defining budgets and milestones for major initiatives focused on nuclear reactors and digital twin technologies. These efforts are critical to advancing the mission of the Digital Molten Salt Reactor Initiative (D’MSRI) and related projects.
External Outreach
- Proactive engagement with senior leadership across the university, including the President’s Office, the Vice President for Research, and the Dean’s Office, ensuring alignment of D’MSRI and its derivative projects with institutional priorities and secure administrative support.
- Represent the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering (NRE) program, D’MSRI, and associated initiatives at the state and federal levels, including the State Legislature, Governor’s Office, and relevant agencies. Public representation is also a key component, with responsibilities including participation in industry events, professional conferences, and public forums to promote the program’s vision and achievements.
Project Leadership in Nuclear Workforce Development
- Design and implement public engagement and workforce development programs and lead those activities once funded. These initiatives will be funded through successful proposals and derivative projects stemming from D’MSRI, and will be developed in collaboration with the UT Energy Institute and the Kay Bailey Hutchison (KBH) Center.
- Guide participating institutions toward successful outcomes and ensure that progress and achievements are effectively communicated to stakeholders, thereby reinforcing the value and impact of the program.
Organizational Management of a Nuclear Advisory Committee and the Texas Nuclear Symposium
- Organize an advisory committee that will leverage the Texas Nuclear Symposium to perform an annual review of nuclear at UT.
- Coordinate with the Energy Institute on scheduling, communication to external stakeholders about the event to increase the visibility, development of material for the advisory committee to review prior to the Symposium, and coordination of the recommendations from the advisory committee after the Symposium.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or an equivalent
- Experience (at least 1 year) in nuclear energy policy
- Experience (at least 5 years) in the energy industry
- Ability to manage multiple projects under pressure of tight deadlines.
- Ability to work as a team member and take initiative to work independently.
- Demonstrated effective written and communication skills.
- Given the funding sources and that some projects utilize controlled information, applicants must be US citizens.
Preferred Qualifications
- Nuclear energy policy experience in the State of Texas and at the federal level
- Graduate degree in nuclear engineering or a related field
Salary Range
- $150,000+ full-time equivalent
- This position is based on currently available funding that will continue through August 31, 2027.Extensions beyond this time are possible, based performance and the availability of funding.
Working Conditions
- May work around standard office conditions.
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
- Use of manual dexterity.
- Climbing of stairs.
Work Shift
- Working with multiple groups means the work may take place in multiple locations on the Main and Pickle Research Campus.
- Due to the requirements of the position, the work hours will be flexible and may require nights and weekend
- This position may be eligible for a hybrid (on-campus and off-campus) work based on business needs and at the discretion of the supervisor.
- This position may be eligible for a reduced work shift (75% to full time) based on business needs and at the discretion of the supervisor.
- Travel will be required but is expected to be less than one week per month.
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume in the first step of the online job application process. Then, any additional Required Materials will be uploaded in the My Experience section; you can multi-select the additional files or click the Upload button for each file. 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 Jobs. Before you apply though, 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. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page, and you will need to click the Upload button multiple times in order to attach your Resume, References and any additional Required Materials 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.----
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. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.----
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) [PDF]
- E-Verify Poster (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.
