DOE-EM (EMGFP) Post Masters Fellow - Chemistry of Tank Waste

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Management (EM) Graduate Fellowship Program (EMGFP) provides recent graduates with an opportunity to conduct hands-on research that supports the mission of DOE's Office of EM. The Ion Dynamics in Radioactive Environments and Materials (IDREAM) Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) is exploring the complex chemical phenomena to enable innovations in retrieving and processing radioactive tank waste. Our team works to master the fundamental chemistry in complex environments characterized by extremes in alkalinity, low-water activity, and chemical phenomena driven far from equilibrium by ionizing radiation, all of which are characteristics of legacy radioactive tank waste. The fundamental knowledge from IDREAM's efforts will aid in accelerating the processing of legacy radioactive waste stored in underground tanks at the DOE's Hanford and Savannah River Sites. As a graduate research fellow, you will become an integral member of the IDREAM EFRC. IDREAM is a multi-institution interdisciplinary team working to master the fundamental chemistry in complex environments characterized by extremes in alkalinity and low water activity related to the chemistry underpinning the successful processing of radioactive tank waste. IDREAM also features a highly involved Early Career Network to assist you in your career development and scientific skills.

Requirements

Candidates must have received a Master’s degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
Eligibility for this position is limited to candidates who graduated with their undergrad or masters at a Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Chemistry, Geochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
Previous work in a chemical laboratory setting.
Experience in developing manuscripts, reports, and presentations.
Expertise in one or more of the following techniques: Vibrational spectroscopies, ICP-OES, X-ray scattering, Electron microscopy, and Optical microscopy.

Responsibilities

Determine the role of co-dissolved species, such as phosphate, nitrate, and nitrite, in enhancing gibbsite solubility in nuclear tank waste.
Determine the role of ionizing radiation on the structure of solutions containing phosphate, nitrate, and nitrite.
Evaluate the role of solution structure, co-dissolved organics, and ionizing radiation on the oxidation state of dissolved redox active species.
Leverage a variety of experimental techniques available at PNNL, including vibrational spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and optical microscopy, among others, while taking advantage of world-class expertise and capabilities to meet your research goals.
Lead and contribute to manuscript development as a member of the IDREAM team.