Technician - Radiochemical Science

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management. The Nuclear Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, delivers science and technology innovations for the environment, energy, and national security. At a time when complex challenges are emerging on many fronts, we address some of the most challenging national and international nuclear issues. This includes providing technological solutions that protect the public health and safety around nuclear facilities, developing durable new materials for extreme nuclear environments, innovating new nuclear processes for the safety and security of the nation, and delivering new approaches for accelerating environmental cleanup of nuclear sites. The division’s capabilities and efforts are focused on environmental management of nuclear sites, nuclear regulatory processes, national nuclear security, and advancing nuclear energy. The Nuclear Chemistry and Engineering (NCE) Group is seeking an outstanding technician for research support of a wide variety of activities involving radiochemistry, analytical chemistry, separation chemistry, and general wet chemistry in the 325RPL Building. The radiochemical processing laboratory (RPL) is a Hazard Category II Nuclear Facility with capability for performing work on dispersible and highly radioactive and hazardous materials. The candidate will be working with radioactive materials and chemicals in laboratories that are in radiological controlled areas, including radiation areas, radioactive material areas, and contamination areas.

Requirements

High school diploma/GED and 2 years of relevant work experience involving chemistry, radiological materials or the building, operation, or troubleshooting of complex systems -OR-
Technical Institute Graduate (TIG)/relevant AA degree or higher and 1 year of relevant work experience involving chemistry, radiological materials or the building, operation, or troubleshooting of complex systems.

Nice To Haves

Chemistry background, particularly inorganic chemistry, molten salt or fluoride/chloride chemistry.
Hands-on experience performing wet chemistry work in research environment.
Experience working with radiological materials.
Experience building, maintaining and troubleshooting complex systems.
Capability to perform detailed-oriented tasks.
Ability to use the Microsoft suite of software specifically including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Flexibility to work on diverse tasks and ability to learn new methods and new computer/analytical software.
Established organization and time management skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to coordinate activities with multiple staff/organizations.
Ability to clearly communicate needs and expectations to others.
Desire to learn and a questioning attitude.

Responsibilities

Conducts research and development activities including standard technical procedures that range from routine to specialized, under technical supervision.
Operates in laboratory workspaces equipped with fume hoods, glove boxes and with specialized instrumentation in order to conduct research.
May adapt existing procedures to relevant processes or prepare new ones.
May perform non-routine tasks requiring the exercise of independent judgment.
Record, reduce and report technical data.
Prepare and maintain proper documentation.
Recognize and report technical challenges and propose possible solutions.
Requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a diverse team.