Research Scientist 3 - Multidisciplinary Program Support

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is intended for a scientist who can bridge technical work and project execution. The successful candidate will contribute scientific and analytical expertise while helping coordinate people, resources, deliverables, and decisions across a complex research portfolio. The role may be tailored toward laboratory technical support, project coordination, or a combination of both, depending on the candidate’s experience and organizational needs. The Mid-Level Scientist will provide technical, operational, and project support across multidisciplinary research and development activities. The role spans fundamental materials science to applied materials engineering, including synthesizing and studying the structures and physical/chemical properties of various natural, synthetic, and composite materials. It involves studying material structures from atomic to large length scales and performing characterization, modeling, or testing to understand their behavior and develop new materials. Additionally, it includes developing individual steps and combined processes for manufacturing, joining, finishing, treating, and strengthening materials, as well as developing computational models of materials. Specific research areas include physics, chemistry, materials science, materials engineering, glass science, ceramic science, metallurgy, manufacturing and process engineering, corrosion science, and polymer science.

Requirements

BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant experience -OR- PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
Relevant experience is defined by: experience supporting multidisciplinary scientific or engineering projects in a research, national laboratory, academic, industrial environment, or related field.
U.S. Citizenship
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
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 be able to run, not walk, 100 feet from the building in the event of a criticality alarm, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in chemistry, materials science, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may also be considered.
Background in processing chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials science, nuclear science, or a closely related technical discipline.
Experience coordinating activities across multiple technical tasks, teams, laboratories, or organizations.
Demonstrated ability to translate technical information into clear project plans, status updates, presentations, and sponsor communications.
Experience with laboratory operations, equipment planning, procurement, facility modifications, or coordination with engineering and crafts organizations.
Familiarity with technical project management practices, including scope definition, work planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and change control.
Experience reviewing technical reports, work plans, presentations, or other formal project deliverables.
Ability to work effectively with scientists, engineers, technicians, project managers, leadership, and external stakeholders.
Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to evolving project requirements.
Interest in developing technical, project, or program leadership capabilities.
Experience working with federal sponsors, national laboratory programs, or other highly regulated research environments.

Responsibilities

Coordinate technical activities across multiple research tasks, ensuring consistent methods, documentation, personnel assignments, and deliverables.
Support planning and execution of laboratory, analytical, and technology-development activities.
Serve as a technical point of contact for scientists, engineers, project managers, facility personnel, and external sponsors.
Help identify, communicate, and resolve technical, resource, facility, procurement, and schedule issues.
Support laboratory and facility planning, including equipment needs, space coordination, configuration changes, and interactions with crafts and support organizations.
Review technical documents, quarterly reports, work plans, presentations, and other project deliverables for accuracy, consistency, and clarity.
Participate in project meetings, capture action items and decisions, and support follow-through across technical teams.
Prepare technical briefings, status updates, figures, and other communications for internal leadership and external sponsors.
Contribute to project planning, scope development, cost and schedule discussions, risk identification, and change management.
Work collaboratively across organizational boundaries to coordinate shared resources and maintain project alignment.
Develop toward increased responsibility in technical leadership, project leadership, or programmatic coordination.
Depending on experience and project needs, perform or oversee laboratory and analytical work in support of research programs.
Promote a positive, collaborative, and learning-oriented work environment, particularly during periods of changing scope, priorities, or project demands.
Synthesizes and studies the structures and physical/chemical properties of various natural, synthetic, and composite materials including metals, alloys, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, rubber, glass, and combinations of these materials.
Studies the structures of materials from atomic to large length scales and performs short- and long-term characterization, modeling, or testing of these materials to understand their behavior and determine ways to improve them or develop new materials with specific properties.
Develops individual steps and combined processes for manufacturing, joining, finishing, treating, and strengthening materials.
Develops computational models of materials that describe structures, properties, and performance of materials.