Trace Isotope Geochemical Analyst

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•UNAVAILABLE, UNAVAILABLE

1d•Onsite

About The Position

PNNL is seeking a qualified earth scientist with isotope geochemistry and mass spectrometry expertise to participate in a wide variety of research and development efforts involving analytical chemistry for characterization, and quantitative and forensic analysis of nuclear material in environmental matrices using a variety of heavy isotope mass spectrometry methods. The incumbent should have a growing record of independent contributions to research programs and possess the ability to interact with dynamic, multi-disciplinary teams. This position will include both experimental and theoretical studies, with applications including national and homeland security, nuclear nonproliferation, and nuclear material detection and characterization. Both independently and in collaboration with project teams, the position will support a range of US government and private clients. The research group seeking to fill this position supports a number of critical national security missions along with missions relating to environmental monitoring, medical isotope production, next-generation nuclear fuel cycles, and international nuclear safeguards and treaty monitoring. Projects within the research group range from highly applied projects in support of the U.S. Government to fundamental projects in the areas of nuclear science and novel technology exploration.

Requirements

BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience OR MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience OR PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
Experience working with chemicals in a trace chemical laboratory setting is required.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work both with minimal supervision and within teams.
Excellent attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability for meticulous, reproducible work and documentation.
U.S. Citizenship
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
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.
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).
Mandatory Requirements: Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle.

Nice To Haves

10+ years’ experience with isotope geochemistry, heavy isotope mass spectrometry, and radiochemical sample processing.
Previous experience at National Labs and/or mission-based work
Ability to contribute significantly in ways that affect the direction of research teams in a given technical area and building a recognizable signature at PNNL.
Ability to build networks across the ACAI group and NCBT division.
Ability to execute research tasks independently and recommend technical approaches within multi-disciplinary teams to produce cutting-edge research.
Experience with sample preparation.
Experience working in production environment.
Experience in instrument and laboratory maintenance.
Active Q clearance.
Experience working in clean rooms, with radioactive materials, trace or micro chemistry techniques, chemical separations, and mass spectrometry is desired.
Experience with quantitative and instrumental analysis, isotope ratio, or geochronometric techniques is also desired.

Responsibilities

Sample prep and characterization using a wide variety of isotope mass spectrometry techniques.
Work planning, data analysis, report writing, and presenting results.
Participation in routine sponsor meetings and working group discussions.
Performing work that spans the spectrum of basic science to applied analytical services.
Measuring radionuclides at trace levels.
Conducting fundamental and applied research resulting in new capabilities in trace element and radionuclide detection, environmental assessment and remediation, treaty verification, and proliferation detection and prevention.
Applying a broad range of instrument and method development knowledge, specialized chemical separation methods, and advanced spectrometric technologies in support of national security clients.
Contributing to basic science studies as well as the applied missions of the Group.
Using highly developed processes, specialized methods, and state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation.
Supporting a range of US government and private clients.
Supporting critical national security missions along with missions relating to environmental monitoring, medical isotope production, next-generation nuclear fuel cycles, and international nuclear safeguards and treaty monitoring.
Conducting fundamental projects in the areas of nuclear science and novel technology exploration.