USRA
Fellowship Mentor and Manager (Space Nuclear)
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Fellowship Mentor and Manager (Space Nuclear)
This position will lead the day-to-day execution, mentorship, and technical coordination of the CSNR Summer Fellowship Program. This role is directly accountable for research quality, mentor coordination, team performance, and overall program delivery.
This is a hands-on, on-site leadership role for a technically strong, highly organized professional who thrives in an intensive research environment and is committed to developing early-career talent. The role requires consistent presence, sound technical judgment, and active engagement with fellows throughout the program. This role is intended for a mid-career research professional with the technical depth and judgment to lead an intensive, team-based research program.
The Universities Space Research Association (USRA), in partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), created the Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR) in 2005 to foster collaboration with university scientists. CSNR nuclear scientists and engineers conduct research, experiment on, and develop advanced space nuclear technologies for advanced space power systems and nuclear engines for spacecraft propulsion. Future human exploration of Mars and beyond will likely require the use of nuclear energy to reduce travel time and thus the exposure of the crew to energetic protons (i.e. cosmic rays and solar flares) and heavy ion bombardment in deep space. Such a reduction in travel time cannot be achieved using conventional rockets because of the lower exhaust velocities of the combustion gasses. There are several concepts for attaining higher exhaust velocities (i.e. higher specific impulse) using nuclear energy. All of these concepts are in an early stage of development for use in space systems. Additionally, the U.S. Space Force and DARPA are partnering with civilian scientists and engineers to develop nearer term small, agile spacecraft for use in the cislunar environment, equipped with lightweight space nuclear reactor systems.
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Location
Idaho Falls, Idaho On-site program leadership | Housing support available for summer
Summer Fellowship Program Overview
The CSNR Summer Fellowship Program is a ten-week, nationally recognized research experience focused on space nuclear power and propulsion. Undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral fellows work in integrated teams on applied research across:
- Advanced nuclear propulsion concept development
- Mission architecture studies leveraging advanced propulsion technologies
- Advanced thermal radiator technology studies
Fellows deliver interim technical briefings and conclude the program with formal oral and written presentations to NASA and DOE scientists, program managers, and leaders within the space nuclear community.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership
- Serve as the primary on-site leader for the Fellowship Program.
- Manage daily operations, schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
- Ensure alignment between research activities, program objectives, and stakeholder expectations.
- Maintain a structured, professional, and collaborative research environment.
Mentorship and Fellow Development
- Lead and coordinate the mentoring framework for all fellows.
- Provide direct technical and professional guidance.
- Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Prepare fellows for technical briefings and final presentations.
Technical Oversight
- Guide research across propulsion, mission architecture, and thermal systems.
- Ensure rigor, integration across teams, and quality of final outputs.
Stakeholder Engagement
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- Coordinate with CSNR leadership and participating mentors.
- Support engagement with NASA, DOE, AFRL national laboratory stakeholders, and academic partners.
- Ensure professional representation of CSNR in all external interactions.
Required Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
- Experience leading or overseeing technically rigorous research efforts.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and manage early-career researchers.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Must be a U.S. citizen and able to secure a government security background investigation approval to secure appropriate access to government facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with NASA, DOE, or national laboratory programs.
- Prior leadership of a student research program or fellowship.
- Familiarity with space nuclear power or propulsion.
- Active or eligible DOE Q Clearance; active clearance strongly preferred.
Why This Role
This role offers uncommon visibility and influence within the national space nuclear research community. The Mentor Manager works directly with subject matter experts from leading universities nationwide and engages with USRA’s Space Nuclear Committee, contributing to discussions that shape research priorities and future talent development.
The position provides meaningful exposure to NASA and DOE stakeholders, national laboratory partners, and academic leaders, while serving as the central point of integration across fellows, mentors, and the broader space nuclear ecosystem. It offers a clear leadership platform for building professional credibility, expanding a national network, and exercising technical leadership in a mission-driven program.
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