Research Reactor Experiment Specialist

The Research Reactor Experiment Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supporting experimental activities conducted at a nuclear research reactor and associated experimental facilities. This position serves as the primary techni...

  • 521814
  • Manhattan, Kansas, United States
  • Alan Levin Dept Mech Nucl Engr
  • Staff Full Time (Unclassified - Term)
  • Closing at: Jul 17 2026 - 23:55 CDT
  • On-site
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About This Role

The Research Reactor Experiment Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supporting experimental activities conducted at a nuclear research reactor and associated experimental facilities. This position serves as the primary technical liaison between reactor operations staff and facility users, ensuring experiments are designed, reviewed, installed, and conducted safely and efficiently in compliance with regulatory, safety, and quality requirements. The Experiment Specialist supports research, education, isotope production, and irradiation services while maintaining a strong commitment to nuclear safety culture.

About Us

The mechanical and nuclear engineering (MNE) department has 24 faculty members, annual research expenditures of approximately $6M, and an enrollment of approximately 850 undergraduate and graduate students. More information on the MNE department may be found at http://www.mne.ksu.edu. The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is located on the main Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, Kansas, a vibrant, family-friendly city located in the scenic Flint Hills. Manhattan is the cultural and business hub of a tri-county area community of over 200,000 residents see (www.manhattan.org).

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Requires a bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience. Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager.
    The degree requirement ensures candidates possess the advanced technical knowledge, design principles and analytical skills essential for developing, testing and implementing engineering solutions. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field
  • Master’s degree in Health Physics or related discipline
  • Strong knowledge of radiation protection principles and NRC regulatory requirements
  • Experience performing radiological analyses and radiation surveys
  • Proficiency with reactor analysis tools (e.g., MCNP, SCALE, PHITS, OpenMC, or equivalent)
  • Proficiency with radiation detection systems (e.g. HPGe/gamma spectrometer, liquid scintillation counter, thermoluminescent dosimeters, survey meters)
  • Ability to work effectively in a regulated, safety-critical environment
  • Ability to pass USNRC background check and obtain unescorted access
  • Must be able to meet requirements for selection and training of personnel for research reactors (ANSI/ANS 15.4) and obtain a Senior Reactor Operator License within 12 months
  • Experience at a research or test reactor
  • Experience with reactor dosimetry, activation analysis, or isotope production
  • Experience supporting NRC inspections or licensing actions
  • Strong technical writing, communication, and instructional skills

Additional Role Information:

  • Ability to pass USNRC background check and obtain unescorted access
  • Must be able to meet requirements for selection and training of personnel for research reactors (ANSI/ANS 15.4) and obtain Senior Reactor Operator License within 12 months
  • Occasional duties outside the usual M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. hours, may be required to support reactor operations

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

  • Resume/CV
  • Cover Letter
  • Contact information for 3 references

Application Window

Applications close on: July 17, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$75,000-$87,000

 

 

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship: 

Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Remote and Hybrid work options:

Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements.  An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.

Relocation to Kansas: 

Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives. 

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.