Adhesive Research Technologist (Research Technologist 1/2)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 87,800 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Free basic life and disability insurance

Paid maternity and parental leave

401(k) with matching

Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and time off

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Extensive relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC is seeking a Research Technologist 1/2 in Los Alamos, NM. The role involves developing and maintaining adhesive kits, overseeing quality control, and leading projects within a dynamic environment. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field and experience in laboratory settings. The position requires a DOE Q clearance and offers a competitive salary range based on experience, with a commitment of one year. Additional perks include comprehensive benefits and learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working in benchtop laboratory settings.
• Experience in project management and resource organization.
• Proactively leading processes for continuous improvement.
• Ability to conduct research and recommend solutions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge of operations and business systems.
• Ability to obtain DOE Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop new adhesive kits to meet customer needs.
• Maintain chemical inventory and oversee quality control.
• Lead customer interactions and log data into a database.
• Participate in R&D projects for materials.

Skills

Safety in laboratory settings

Project management

Continuous improvement

Critical thinking

Communication

Business systems knowledge

Clearance acquisition

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Research Technologist 1/2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Research Technologist 1

$87,800-$143,000

The position offers the opportunity to work on a highly successful and critical team. The kitting team within MST-7 supplies adhesives and other polymer kits to various groups at LANL. Through this work, members of the kitting team collaborate with multiple divisions and groups and contribute to the success of multiple high‑profile tests. The chosen candidate will be required to follow established recipes and procedures exactly as they have been recorded, maintain supplies and supply chain, maintain an orderly work space, and effectively interact with other LANL groups.

Research Technologist 2

$96,600-$158,000

In addition to the duties outlined for Technologist 1, a Technologist 2 would be expected to implement time and cost savings measures as appropriate while maintaining kit quality. As opportunities arise, the candidate would also lead research projects or develop new equipment for kitting operations.

The Engineered Materials Group (MST-7) is seeking outstanding candidates to join our adhesive kitting team. The team supplies adhesive, polymer, and chemical kits to various groups and organizations throughout LANL. The successful candidate will prepare requested kits in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment using developed formulations. Candidates will also implement new practices to streamline the production process. The candidate is expected to work independently and should be highly motivated, customer‑service focused, and detail‑oriented. Work requires more intellectual contribution in process development and includes work requiring consistent exercise of discretion and judgment, as distinguished from performance of prescribed routine tasks. Regular dissemination of results in the form of well‑kept laboratory notebooks, internal reports, peer‑reviewed research papers, and conference presentations will be essential for success.

Duties include:

• Work within the existing formulation framework and additionally, develop new, tailored adhesive kits to meet customer needs.
• Purchase, track, prepare, and maintain chemical inventory of material feed‑stocks.
• Oversee quality control of adhesive materials.
• Work with budget analysts to develop and manage budget and contracts.
• Demonstrate responsibility in leading customer interactions.
• Log adhesive kit data into a LANL database.
• Participate in projects supporting R&D efforts for polymer and adhesive materials and cast parts.
• Perform chemical certification via theology and hardness testing.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Safety: Demonstrated experience working in benchtop laboratory settings and conducting materials‑related experiments in a safe and secure manner.
• Project Management: Experience in project management, including planning, organizing and resource management. Application of excellent organizational skills in creating ownership and accountability to meet key commitments and deliverables for multiple concurrent projects with a broad range of priorities.
• Continuous Improvement: Experience in proactively leading organizational processes and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
• Critical Thinking: Experience conducting research, developing techniques, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions to problems affecting business/programmatic operations. Gather, compile, and interpret data derived from multiple sources and present findings to a determined target audience.
• Communication: Extensive expertise demonstrating strong communication skills (interpersonal, verbal and written) while interacting effectively with a team and all levels of skill sets.
• Business Systems: Thorough knowledge and in-depth understanding of operations, policies and business systems including MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Outlook.
• Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance (typically requiring U.S. citizenship).

Additional Job Requirements for Research Technologist 2

• Demonstrated depth of knowledge in the area of practice acquired by experience, certification and/or formal education.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in area of expertise.
• Demonstrated supervision of projects and personnel as part of a larger project or program.

Education/Experience for Technologist 1

Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field preferred.

Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but who do not meet the two‑year experience requirement, are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an allowable variance.

Education/Experience for Technologist 2

Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of polymeric materials.
• History of contributing to or authoring technical reports, presentations, or peer‑reviewed papers.
• Experience with scientific equipment and/or testing apparatus.
• Experience with procurement of items and services.
• Active Q clearance.

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position Commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Clearance

Position will be cleared to Q level. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances.

Incentive Compensation Program

Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1 and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call 505-664-6947.