Materials Characterization Laboratory Technical Professional

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

8d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Materials Characterization Laboratory Technical Professional in the Applied Materials Analysis Group in the Materials Characterization Section, of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division, part of the National Security Sciences Directorate Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This role is responsible for managing the lab spaces through ensuring highly specialized equipment is maintained at maximum operability time, including coordination of vendor support and appropriate downtime to reduce impact to research. In addition, this role will manage the documentation and inventory system for the laboratory as well as be the key point of contact for all day to day operations within the lab space. This role also has the availability to support R&D activities as this role will become a SME in the functionality of several specialized instruments. It will become expected that as this role develops, the candidate will begin participation in experimental activities such as setup, sample preparation, routine measurements, and recording data. This position supports a large, shared laboratory space used by physicists, uranium chemists, and materials scientists. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills to multiple levels of staff so that across these disciplines as well as communication with support staff of facilities, radiological controls, and other environmental, health, and safety personnel.

Requirements

A BS degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, geochemistry/geoscience, or another instrumentation-intensive scientific discipline
1-2 years of experience active participation in a laboratory in academic research or similar technical environment
Familiarity with complex scientific instrumentation and general laboratory operations
Experience following standard operating procedures and laboratory safety practices
Ability to manage shifting priorities in a dynamic research environment

Nice To Haves

A MS degree in a relevant scientific discipline
Experience working in a shared or interdisciplinary laboratory
Experience with inventory management, purchasing, and vendor/service coordination
Experience maintaining laboratory records, safety documentation, and chemical hazard tracking systems
Exposure to advanced analytical or materials characterization instrumentation
Experience with handling radiological materials or relevant radiological worker training
Ability to work independently on routine troubleshooting and day-to-day laboratory support tasks
Proactive and willing to take ownership of laboratory needs
Organized, dependable, and detail-oriented
Strong team-oriented work ethic able to jump in and help the team accomplish collective goals
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Experience with or exposure to one or more of the following is highly desirable: SEM/EDS, Raman spectroscopy, PPMS, GC-MS, evolved gas analysis, pyrolysis techniques, X-ray diffraction, Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, Atomic force microscopy, Radiological materials handling

Responsibilities

Maintain operational readiness, including organized space with ready to use instruments of a shared interdisciplinary laboratory
Manage laboratory inventory, including chemicals, consumables, gases, sample supplies, spare parts, and radioactive materials in compliance with DOE requirements
Manage and organize incoming research materials and samples
Maintain equipment logs, maintenance records, standard operating procedures, and other laboratory documentation
Support compliance with SOPs, ES&H processes, chemical hazard tracking, and laboratory safety requirements
Assist with proper waste handling and hazardous material management in accordance with internal procedures
Assist scientists with experimental setup, sample preparation, routine measurements, and recording data
Prepare materials, reagents, and equipment for ongoing research efforts
Record and organize experimental data and observations accurately
Provide technical support across multiple scientific disciplines
Contribute to technical reports, journal articles, and presentations as needs arise
Troubleshoot routine laboratory and instrumentation issues independently and escalate more complex problems when needed