R&D Associate Staff Member

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

11d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an R&D Associate Staff Member to support applied spectroscopy, sensor development, and process-monitoring research within the Isotope Applications Research Group (IARG) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The successful candidate will develop and deploy optical spectroscopy-based analytical methods, automated sampling approaches, and integrated instrumentation for real-time or near-real-time measurements in complex chemical, isotope-production, and nuclear-relevant processing environments. This position will support program needs in radionuclide production, separations, materials/process monitoring, and related test systems, with opportunities to contribute to technical reporting, publications, proposals, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. IARG is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to advancing the production, exploration of fundamental properties, and practical applications of radioisotopes produced at ORNL. Comprised of experts ranging from nuclear engineers and radiochemists to organic chemists and cell biologists, IARG pushes the boundaries of technology in the production, isolation, and characterization of radionuclides. Their work not only enhances our understanding of these isotopes but also explores their current and potential future applications, which include innovations in nuclear battery development, cutting-edge research in next-generation nuclear reactors, and the advancement of targeted alpha therapy in cancer treatment. As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

Requirements

A PhD in analytical chemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, nuclear engineering, applied physics, optical science, materials science, or a related field and demonstrated experience developing or applying optical spectroscopy, analytical instrumentation, chemical sensing, or process-monitoring methods.

Nice To Haves

Experience with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Raman, fluorescence, UV-Vis/absorbance, FT-IR, or related optical measurement approaches.
Experience with online or at-line monitoring of complex process streams, such as molten salts, liquids, gases, aerosols, off-gas streams, or other challenging matrices.
Experience designing or integrating automated sampling systems, flow cells, microfluidic systems, field-ready sensors, embedded controls, or computer-controlled instrumentation.
Working knowledge of Python, Arduino/C++, microcontrollers, electronics, data acquisition, chemometrics, multivariate calibration, or statistical analysis methods.
Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team environment and communicate research results through reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations.

Responsibilities

Conduct experimental research to develop optical spectroscopy, chemical sensing, and analytical instrumentation capabilities for isotope-production and nuclear-relevant processing applications.
Design, integrate, test, and troubleshoot sampling interfaces, flow cells, aerosol/gas/liquid analysis methods, and computer-controlled instrumentation for online or at-line measurements.
Develop quantitative calibration, signal processing, chemometrics, uncertainty evaluation, data acquisition, and analysis workflows that support reliable process feedback.
Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and proposal materials while delivering ORNL's mission through Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Science and committing to ORNL's Research Code of Conduct: https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity