Material Science Technician 3

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nuclear Material Processing (NMP) group at PNNL is seeking a technician with expertise in metallography and material science to join a team of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers working to strengthen national security and advance nuclear science. The ideal candidate will have hands on experience in actinide and/or actinide surrogate metallurgical processing and operating research equipment/capabilities including arc melters, casting, rolling, polishing, and cutting. Additionally, the candidate should be familiar with typical solid material characterization tools including microscopy (SEM, EBSD, EDS, and optical microscopy), focused ion beam (FIB)/SEM for TEM and APT sample preparation. Experience working in radiological fume hoods and gloveboxes is desired but not required. The successful candidate will work under the direction of mid-senior team members to aid in various programs within the NMP group’s research. The candidate will work independently and in teams to complete recurring assignments, reporting results to the larger team on time and within budget. They will be expected to embrace quality, safety, and security in all aspects of the job. Spans basic sample preparation (metallography) to advanced FIB/SEM preparation for techniques like TEM and APT. Synthesizes and studies the structures and physical/chemical properties of various materials. Studies the structures of materials from atomic to large length scales and performs short- and long-term characterization or testing of these materials to understand their behavior and determine ways to improve them or develop new materials with specific properties. Develops individual steps and combined processes for manufacturing, joining, finishing, treating, and strengthening materials.

Requirements

High school diploma/GED and 4 years of experience in a laboratory, industrial or high hazard setting -OR- Technical Institute Graduate (TIG)/relevant AA degree or higher and 2 years of experience in a laboratory, industrial or high hazard setting
Hands on experience in actinide and/or actinide surrogate metallurgical processing
Operating research equipment/capabilities including arc melters, casting, rolling, polishing, and cutting
Familiarity with typical solid material characterization tools including microscopy (SEM, EBSD, EDS, and optical microscopy)
Familiarity with focused ion beam (FIB)/SEM for TEM and APT sample preparation
U.S. Citizenship
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance
Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test and submit to random drug testing
Ability to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
A demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team member.
Experience with radioactive materials and nuclear science/technology.
Experience with metal casting operations.
Experience with alloying and casting of actinide or actinide surrogate metals.
Experience with microscopy techniques for materials characterization (SEM, EBSD, EDS, and optical microscopy).
Experience using a FIB-SEM for sample preparation for TEM and APT analysis.
Experience with radiological fume hoods and gloveboxes.

Responsibilities

Synthesizes and studies the structures and physical/chemical properties of various materials.
Studies the structures of materials from atomic to large length scales and performs short- and long-term characterization or testing of these materials to understand their behavior and determine ways to improve them or develop new materials with specific properties.
Develops individual steps and combined processes for manufacturing, joining, finishing, treating, and strengthening materials.
Works under the direction of mid-senior team members to aid in various programs within the NMP group’s research.
Works independently and in teams to complete recurring assignments, reporting results to the larger team on time and within budget.
Embraces quality, safety, and security in all aspects of the job.