Natura Resources LLC Sr. Chemist / Sr. Chemical Engineer Abilene, TX · Full time Company website

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Natura Resources is committed to answering the world's increased demand for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water by developing commercially deployable liquid-fueled molten salt reactors.

Natura Resources, a developer of advanced molten salt reactor (MSR) technology, is seeking a qualified and motivated Sr. Chemist / Sr. Chemical Engineer to lead research and development efforts associated with fuel salt chemistry, isotope extraction, and reactor system design.

The successful candidate will contribute to both experimental and analytical programs that advance the MSR-1 demonstration reactor and the future MSR-100 commercial system.

This role provides the opportunity to engage with university partners, national laboratories, and regulatory agencies while contributing to transformative nuclear technology development. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead laboratory-scale research and development for the Natura’s MSR systems, including salt purification, fuel synthesis, radiation licensing, separation processes, beryllium safety, and experimental hardware validation. 
• Perform and analyze fuel salt property characterization, encompassing elemental analysis, thermophysical measurements, electrochemical diagnostics, and corrosion testing. 
• Contribute to reactor system chemistry development, with a focus on purification systems, off-gas management, isotope extraction techniques, and refueling operations. 
• Advance closed fuel cycle R&D through modeling and experimentation in salt depletion, separations technologies (e.g., reductive extraction, fluoride volatility, crystallization), and waste stabilization strategies. 
• Collaborate with national laboratories and partner universities (e.g., Abilene Christian University, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, and the University of Texas) to execute research and share findings. 
• Prepare technical documentation, white papers, and licensing reports in support of NRC regulatory engagement. 
• Ensure compliance with site safety policies and applicable regulatory standards. 

 

Required Qualifications 

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline (Ph.D. preferred). 
• Demonstrated experience in leading experimental research related to high-temperature systems, molten salts, or radiochemistry. 
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills, with a proven ability to document and communicate complex results clearly. 
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. 
• Willingness to travel periodically for research coordination and experimental campaigns. 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Prior experience with molten salt reactor systems, fluoride salt chemistry, or actinide chemistry. 
• Familiarity with regulatory and licensing processes related to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 
• Experience leading or mentoring technical personnel or research teams. 
• Knowledge of fuel cycle modeling and separations process design. 

 

Working Conditions 

• Work is primarily performed in an office or laboratory setting. 
• Must be able to sit, stand, or operate instrumentation for extended periods. 
• Moderate travel is expected and may include overnight stays. 

Location: Abilene, TX 

Employment Type: Full-Time 

Start Date: As Soon As Possible 

Compensation: Commensurate with Experience 

Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401K, PTO 

Supervisor: Michael Stoddard 

Contact: [email protected]