Materials Scientist

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Nuclear Material Processing (NMP) group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking an early career materials scientist 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 material processing and operating research equipment for thermal analysis, including calorimeters (calvet-type and/or differential scanning), thermogravimetric-differential thermal analyzers, thermomechanical analyzers, and muffle/tube furnaces. Additionally, the candidate should be familiar with typical solid material characterization tools (e.g., x-ray diffraction). Experience with residual gas mass spectrometry and working in radiological fume hoods and glove-boxes is desired but not required. The successful candidate will work with senior team members as a contributor to the broad program of NMP group research. The candidate’s contributions will derive from their ability to propose technical alternatives on existing projects and efforts, ultimately leading to the development of new proposal concepts. The candidate will work independently to complete recurring assignments and define/lead project work at a small task/project level, reporting results to the larger team on time and within budget. They will be expected to contribute to proposals as well as embrace expectations for quality, safety, and security in all aspects of the job. The materials scientist will be responsible for applying advanced knowledge of thermal analysis techniques to investigate and evaluate the properties and behavior of materials under various temperature conditions, including natural, synthetic, and composite materials such as salts, glass, metals, alloys, ceramics, and combinations of these materials. The successful candidate will perform comprehensive characterization of products derived from solid, liquid, and gas phase reactions, utilizing a range of analytical and spectroscopic methods to assess material composition, structure, and performance. Specific research areas include physics, chemistry, materials science, glass science, ceramic science, and corrosion science.

Requirements

BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience OR MS/MA OR PhD
Hands on experience in actinide and/or actinide surrogate material processing.
Experience operating research equipment for thermal analysis, including calorimeters (calvet-type and/or differential scanning), thermogravimetric-differential thermal analyzers, thermomechanical analyzers, and muffle/tube furnaces.
Familiarity with typical solid material characterization tools (e.g., x-ray diffraction).
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
U.S. Citizenship.
Ability to pass a Federal background investigation.
Ability to pass pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana.
Must be able 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).
Must disclose any affiliation with the government of a "country of risk" and recuse or receive approval.

Nice To Haves

Experience with residual gas mass spectrometry.
Experience working in radiological fume hoods and glove-boxes.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
Demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team member.
Experience with radioactive materials and nuclear science/technology.
Experience with halide molten salts, ceramics, and glasses.
Experience with processing of actinide or actinide surrogate materials.
Experience with thermal analysis instrumentation and methods (TGA-DTA, TMA, DSC, Calvet-type calorimetry).
Experience with solid/gas phase materials characterization (XRD, RGA).
Experience with radiological fume hoods and glove-boxes.

Responsibilities

Apply advanced knowledge of thermal analysis techniques to investigate and evaluate the properties and behavior of materials under various temperature conditions.
Perform comprehensive characterization of products derived from solid, liquid, and gas phase reactions, utilizing a range of analytical and spectroscopic methods to assess material composition, structure, and performance.
Propose technical alternatives on existing projects and efforts, ultimately leading to the development of new proposal concepts.
Work independently to complete recurring assignments and define/lead project work at a small task/project level, reporting results to the larger team on time and within budget.
Contribute to proposals and embrace expectations for quality, safety, and security in all aspects of the job.