Post Doctorate RA - Nuclear Material Processing

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex – from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation’s borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities – rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools – are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.
The Nuclear Material Processing group within PNNL is seeking a sol-gel subject matter expert. In addition to fundamental chemistry and materials expertise, a successful candidate will have specialized knowledge in applying that expertise to nuclear technologies such as fuels for advanced radioisotope and fission power systems. The candidate will be part of the Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Division, whose mission includes the science, technology development, and operational expertise to neutralize emerging national security threats.
Provide expertise in core technical topics with strong analytical thinking and excellent verbal communication skills related to topics such as sol-gel R&D experiments. The candidate should be able to perform hands-on work with surrogate and radioactive materials to produce and characterize samples.
Work on complex topics where analysis of unique situations and data requires an in-depth evaluation and assessment of a variety of dynamic factors. Exercise judgement in selecting strategy approaches, methods, techniques, and criteria that will generate the optimum solution and results.
Contribute to technical white papers, design drawings, technical documentation, invention reports and journal articles describing related technological advances in assigned areas of expertise.
Maintain an understanding and knowledge of key project issues and initiatives that will allow for proposing improvements and expanding the project portfolio.
Maintain effective working relationships with other research staff, project managers, and stakeholders. Develop positive influence across project interest groups and external organizations and partners to move engineering concepts forward to viable solutions.
Maintain interactions with and facilitate collaboration among a diverse set of multi-disciplined PNNL and external teams. Frequent communication with project points of contact is expected and required with the ability to effectively interface with others to develop solutions and capabilities that will accomplish project missions.
Appropriately handle non-sensitive, sensitive, and classified information as required by the assigned project topics. The incumbent must demonstrate an ability to manage sensitive information while influencing positive outcomes. The person in this position must recognize and accept that they will be working in technical areas associated with the National Security of the United States.

Requirements

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants 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).
• Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in core technical topics with strong analytical thinking and excellent verbal communication skills related to topics such as sol-gel R&D experiments. The candidate should be able to perform hands-on work with surrogate and radioactive materials to produce and characterize samples.
• Work on complex topics where analysis of unique situations and data requires an in-depth evaluation and assessment of a variety of dynamic factors. Exercise judgement in selecting strategy approaches, methods, techniques, and criteria that will generate the optimum solution and results.
• Contribute to technical white papers, design drawings, technical documentation, invention reports and journal articles describing related technological advances in assigned areas of expertise.
• Maintain an understanding and knowledge of key project issues and initiatives that will allow for proposing improvements and expanding the project portfolio.
• Maintain effective working relationships with other research staff, project managers, and stakeholders. Develop positive influence across project interest groups and external organizations and partners to move engineering concepts forward to viable solutions.
• Maintain interactions with and facilitate collaboration among a diverse set of multi-disciplined PNNL and external teams. Frequent communication with project points of contact is expected and required with the ability to effectively interface with others to develop solutions and capabilities that will accomplish project missions.
• Appropriately handle non-sensitive, sensitive, and classified information as required by the assigned project topics. The incumbent must demonstrate an ability to manage sensitive information while influencing positive outcomes. The person in this position must recognize and accept that they will be working in technical areas associated with the National Security of the United States.

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: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree