Senior Scientist - Radiochemist
About The Position
Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. The Senior Scientist serves as a subject matter expert in the Data & Diagnostics Group within the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) Directorate and provides technical leadership for developing the DNN radiochemistry program. The DNN Program Office leads integrated research, development, test, and evaluation projects related to nuclear explosion monitoring, nuclear material production detection, and nuclear forensics. Its work includes remote detection and data analysis for ground-truth measurements, and adaptive testbeds for threat characterization and countermeasure development. The role develops long-term strategies aligned with mission requirements, designs and evaluates nuclear-material characterization workflows, leads project execution and data collection, and collaborates with NNSS, DOE National Laboratories, universities, and internal partner organizations. The Senior Scientist also researches and analyzes technical data, prepares reports and presentations, presents findings, and develops and defends proposals for additional projects. The primary work location is the Nevada National Security Site, approximately 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. The schedule is four 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday, subject to change. A pre-placement physical examination including drug screening is required, and MSTS conducts random drug testing. Applicants must hold a valid driver's license and be eligible to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship and being at least 18 years of age are required for that clearance. The position may also require a counterintelligence evaluation, potentially including a polygraph examination.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a calculus-based technical (STEM) field and at least 5 years of relevant experience; graduate research experience may be recognized.
- Experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge.
- Extensive experience handling nuclear materials, especially unsealed sources and special nuclear materials.
- Proficiency with material-characterization instrumentation, including gamma spectrometry, electron microscopy, and mass spectroscopy.
- Familiarity with radiation-detection instruments.
- Ability to build teaming relationships with technical and other company organizations.
- Ability to work in a disciplined manner and demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures.
- Ability to draft technical documents with a high degree of accuracy.
- Ability to prioritize and schedule multiple activities efficiently and meet deadlines.
- Team-oriented approach and good communication skills, with ability to work closely with a diverse group of scientists and engineers.
- Valid driver's license.
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship and minimum age of 18 are required for clearance eligibility.
- Must pass a pre-placement physical examination, including drug screening, and comply with MSTS drug-testing requirements.
Nice To Haves
- PhD in Radiochemistry or a related field.
- Strong interest in nuclear forensics and nuclear nonproliferation.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a subject matter expert in the Data & Diagnostics Group, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Directorate.
- Provide technical leadership for development of the radiochemistry program within DNN.
- Develop and implement long-term strategic plans integrated with mission requirements and future project execution.
- Design, implement, and evaluate experimental workflows for characterization of nuclear materials.
- Lead program and project activities and data collection.
- Develop and implement strategies to identify, manage, and mitigate risk.
- Research, extract, analyze, and compile technical data.
- Support multiple projects at NNSS and develop collaborations among NNSS, DOE National Laboratories, and universities.
- Integrate with partner and interfacing directorates, programs, and projects to support collaborative and comprehensive execution.
- Draft technical reports, presentations, and publications; present results in papers, project meetings, and conferences.
- Prepare and defend proposals for additional projects.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Pension and 401(k).
- Paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays.
- Relocation assistance for employees located more than 75 miles from the work location.
- Tuition assistance and reimbursement.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
