Earth Radiochemist 2

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Nuclear Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, delivers science and technology innovations for the environment, energy, and national security. At a time when complex challenges are emerging on many fronts, we address some of the most challenging national and international nuclear issues. This includes providing technological solutions that protect the public health and safety around nuclear facilities, developing durable new materials for extreme nuclear environments, innovating new nuclear processes for the safety and security of the nation, and delivering new approaches for accelerating environmental cleanup of nuclear sites. The division’s capabilities and efforts are focused on environmental management of nuclear sites, nuclear regulatory processes, national nuclear security, and advancing nuclear energy

Requirements

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Earth Science, Radiochemistry; Radioanalytical Chemistry; Materials Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or related field and 2 years of relevant experience including post-doc.
• Experience handling radioactive materials and specifically have experience performing radiochemical separations.
• This includes gas-phase separations, column separations, solvent extraction, and other methods typical in separation science.
• Knowledge of the solution chemistry and separations strategies of an array of radioisotopes from elements such as Sr, Y, Zr, Pb, Bi, At, Rn, Ra, Th, and U. A candidate with direct experience handling heavy noble gases such as Kr, Xe, and Rn will be preferred.
• Hands on experience with beta emitter detection (³⁶Cl, ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y, ⁹⁹Tc) and microfluidic separations integrated with optical/electronic detection.
• Experience programming and/or operating milli- and micro-fluidic systems and milli- and micro-scale chemical separation techniques.
• Experience with in-line and on-line monitoring of fluidic processes using an assortment of detectors and sensors is a plus.
• Prior work in hazard category II or hot cell/glovebox laboratory environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely in laboratory environments and follow radiological controls and QA practices.
• An established record of proposing, winning, and executing competitive research projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, a demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team.

Responsibilities

• The Nuclear Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, delivers science and technology innovations for the environment, energy, and national security. At a time when complex challenges are emerging on many fronts, we address some of the most challenging national and international nuclear issues. This includes providing technological solutions that protect the public health and safety around nuclear facilities, developing durable new materials for extreme nuclear environments, innovating new nuclear processes for the safety and security of the nation, and delivering new approaches for accelerating environmental cleanup of nuclear sites. The division’s capabilities and efforts are focused on environmental management of nuclear sites, nuclear regulatory processes, national nuclear security, and advancing nuclear energy.
• Division group assignments may include:
• Nuclear Chemistry & Engineering Group: radiochemical process engineering, separations, conversion technologies.
• Radiological Materials Group: waste‑form development, vitrification/immobilization, glass & cementitious materials, process development, off‑gas capture & immobilization.

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees