Chemist (NWS 00955)

North Wind Group; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 152,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid leave

Life & disability insurance

Job summary

North Wind Services is seeking a Nuclear Chemist for the LLNL Livermore site on a part-time, short-term basis. The role focuses on radiochemical analyses, forensic interpretation, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support national security objectives.

The candidate will advise on post-detonation signatures and international safeguards, with duties including training, documentation, and occasional travel. US citizenship and security clearance are required.

Qualifications

• PhD required or equivalent in relevant field.
• Experience with radiochemical analysis and data interpretation.
• Excellent communication and ability to prepare technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Analyze radiochemical data from nuclear events and interpret results.
• Collaborate with LLNL and partner labs on experiments and reporting.
• Prepare technical documentation and deliver briefings; travel as needed.

Skills

Radiochemical methods

Radiation counting

Nuclear forensics

Verbal & written communication

Training program development

Education

PhD in chemistry, physics, geochemistry, or nuclear engineering

Job description

Location: Livermore, CA Title: Chemist (NWS 00955)

THIS POSITION IS SHORT TERM, MAX 1000 HOURS PER CALENDAR YEAR

North Wind Services (NWS) is a high performing, low risk company with a successful history of contributing to their client’s missions. NWS executes and manages a wide range of technical services such as environmental investigation and restoration, construction, demolition, radioactive and hazardous waste management, public communication/involvement, information management, health and safety, industrial hygiene, and emergency response/HAZMAT services.

North Wind Services is actively seeking individuals who can contribute to national security within the science, technology, and engineering fields as part of our supplemental labor team at vital federal research and development installations supporting the Department of Energy. Qualified applicants must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, and able to meet pre-employment requirements including any required physicals, drug screen, and/or background investigation to satisfy clearance requirements from the Department of Energy.

Successful candidates will be employees of NWS supporting the missions of their federal client, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA. Pay, benefits, Human Resources, and employment management functions are all provided by NWS. As an NWS employee working at LLNL, within the client’s environment, you will complete day-to-day tasks, with direction from technical personnel directly employed by LLNL.

The Nuclear Threat Reduction (N) Program within the Strategic Threat Analysis and Response (STAR) Directorate has a part‑time opening for a Nuclear Chemist. The successful candidate will advise on and assess international nuclear security challenges, with an emphasis on technical nuclear forensics and international nuclear safeguards. Candidates should have expertise in post‑detonation signatures, technical nuclear forensics, international safeguards, and the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This position will report to the Program Leader for Technical Nuclear Forensics.

Essential Duties

• Provide technical expertise in analyzing and interpreting radiochemical data from nuclear events.
• Support research to advance new capabilities for interpreting radiochemical data from nuclear explosions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of scientific and technical staff at LLNL and other laboratories, including on design of experiments, data analysis and evaluation, and preparation of technical reports for NNSA sponsors and publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Assist LLNL Venture Management in the development and execution of project scope of work, multi‑year life cycle plan, and project schedule to accomplish program milestones and meet deliverables.
• Leverage subject matter expertise in nuclear forensics to support training and operational preparedness, including instruction for new debris diagnostics analysts focused on post‑detonation response.
• Provide expertise in support of executing international nuclear safeguards engagement activities.
• Provide subject matter expertise and technical mentoring in international safeguards, nuclear forensics, and global security.
• Prepare presentations and other documentation and deliver briefings, as requested.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally on an occasional basis to collaborate with colleagues at conferences and training events.
• Work with Senior Action Officers in the US/UK office to develop and create procedures and training documents for new Action Officers.
• Perform additional job duties as assigned.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• PhD in chemistry, physics, geochemistry, or nuclear engineering, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience in radiochemical methods, radiation counting, nuclear reaction and data, and isotope production techniques associated with analysis and assessment of post‑detonation debris samples.
• Experience using nuclear decay counting detectors and other instruments and methods to quantitatively analyze radionuclides.
• Advanced working knowledge of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the IAEA safeguards system
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing training, policy, and operational capabilities for domestic and international partners.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communications skills, including presentation skills and technical documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Advanced understanding of the national Post‑Detonation TNF mission and familiarity with technical partners.
• Extensive experience collaborating with the inter‑agency science, technology and engineering communities, including technical assessment of emerging TNF‑related science and technologies.
• Expert knowledge of nuclear material analysis and characterization techniques with application to forensic related areas.
• Extensive experience supporting exercises and operations under DOE, DOD, and FBI strategic frameworks.
• Experience working with partners in Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and/or Latin America and the Caribbean.

Special Requirements

Pre‑Placement Medical Exam: A job‑related pre‑placement medical examination may be required.

Pre‑employment drug test: External applicants selected for this position will be required to pass a post offer, pre‑employment drug test.

Anticipated Government Clearance Level: Q (position will be cleared to this level). Applicants who are selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matters. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q‑level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non‑U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted.

North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave, and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work‑life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people. For more information about benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline +1.208.528.8718 or use the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form to get assistance.

North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non‑employee workers to be notified of what personal information NW collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here: https://northwindgrp.com/wp-com .