Post Bachelors Research Associate- Subsurface Science

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Earth Systems Science Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, provides leadership and solutions that advance Earth system opportunities for energy systems and national security. We are a multidisciplinary division connected by a shared commitment to innovate and collaborate towards solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system.

As a Post Bachelors Research Associate in EED’s Subsurface Science group, you will become part of a multi-investigator team with diverse expertise tackling challenging environmental remediation questions across multiple programs. You will specialize in conducting experiments that evaluate:
groundwater remediation technology, e.g., ion exchange resin, performance;
Cementitious material properties and aging processes for the long-term immobilization of nuclear waste streams; and
Solubility properties of chemically complex nuclear waste environments.
If you are ready to test your talents and training on developing understanding of chemically complex systems and deployable solutions for contaminated nuclear waste sites, we want to connect with you. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply; you do not need to meet all the Preferred Qualifications to be considered.

Requirements

• Candidates must have received a Bachelor’s degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor Degree in Chemistry, Geochemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Environmental Science or related fields.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership abilities to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists.

Responsibilities

• Carry out experiments to: measure contaminant breakthrough from 1D flow columns and/or batch experiment designs; prepare, test, and post-process cementitious samples exposed to varying environments to understand changes in chemical and physical properties; and perform solution batch tests and characterization techniques to evaluate solubility properties of simulated nuclear waste streams.
• Become an integral part of PNNL environmental remediation project teams, taking advantage of world-class expertise and capabilities to perform your research.
• Become familiar with relevant sample preparation and delivery methods
• Become familiar with the scientific questions underlying the different PNNL projects and contribute to scientific thought leadership for future research.
• Work independently, take initiative, and work on team assignments
• Contribute to manuscript development
• Interact, communicate, and problem solve with research staff within a multi-expertise collaboration
• Present research at technical conferences and project/program review meetings
• Use artificial intelligence tools to aid in data processing efforts.

Benefits

• health insurance
• flexible work schedules
• 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
• fertility support
• company-funded pension plan
• 401 (k) savings plan with company match
• 120 vacation hours per year
• ten paid holidays per year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level