Junior Radiochemist

Oklo; Idaho Falls (ID); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time off

Health insurance

401(k)

Wellness credits

Job summary

Oklo is looking for a Junior Radiochemist to join their team in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This role involves supporting radiochemistry operations, isotope production, and laboratory activities.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field and minimal experience in laboratory settings. The position offers hands-on experience in a collaborative environment focused on operational readiness and safety.

Benefits include flexible time off, competitive pay, and health insurance.

Qualifications

• 0-3 years of experience in laboratory operations, radiochemistry, or nuclear operations.
• Basic understanding of laboratory safety practices and radiological work controls.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist with radiochemical processing and analytical laboratory activities.
• Perform sample preparation and radiological characterization.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for isotope production.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Radiochemistry

Analytical chemistry

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

Position Overview

Oklo is searching for a Junior Radiochemist to join our team on-site in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Position Description

Oklo Isotopes is building scalable U.S. radioisotope production capabilities in facilities dedicated to producing essential isotopes for healthcare, space, industry, research, and defense applications. In February 2026, Oklo’s Idaho Radioisotopes Laboratory (IRL) located in Idaho Falls received its Material Possession License from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to take a leading role in the manufacturing and distribution of beneficial radioisotopes in the U.S. We are seeking a Junior Radiochemist to support radiochemistry operations, isotope production activities, and laboratory execution within a fast‑paced and highly regulated environment. This role is ideal for an early‑career scientist or engineer interested in developing expertise in radiochemistry, radioactive material handling, analytical chemistry, and nuclear laboratory operations.

The Junior Radiochemist will work closely with senior radiochemists, operations personnel, engineers, and radiation protection staff to support safe and compliant radiological activities while contributing to isotope production, analytical testing, and laboratory process development. This position offers hands‑on experience in radiochemical processing, laboratory operations, and operational readiness activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist with radiochemical processing, isotope handling, and analytical laboratory activities in accordance with approved procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Support preparation, execution, and documentation of radiochemical experiments and laboratory processes.
• Perform sample preparation, radiological characterization, and analytical measurements using laboratory instrumentation and approved techniques.
• Support routine laboratory operations including material handling, inventory management, equipment setup, and contamination control activities.
• Assist with maintaining compliance with applicable radiological safety requirements, laboratory procedures, and operational standards.
• Support radiological surveys, radioactive material handling activities, and laboratory housekeeping efforts.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, technical documentation, and operational data.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support isotope production, commissioning activities, and laboratory readiness initiatives.
• Participate in procedure reviews, training activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist senior staff with troubleshooting radiochemical and laboratory process issues.
• Support operational excellence through strong attention to detail, procedural compliance, and safe work practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Health Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 0–3 years of experience in laboratory operations, radiochemistry, analytical chemistry, nuclear operations, or related technical environments.
• Basic understanding of laboratory safety practices and radiological work controls.
• Familiarity with analytical laboratory instrumentation and scientific documentation practices.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and work effectively in a collaborative technical environment.
• Ability to follow procedures and maintain high standards of quality and safety.

Bonus Qualifications

• Internship, research, or laboratory experience involving radioactive materials, analytical chemistry, or nuclear technologies.
• Experience working in academic, national laboratory, or industrial laboratory environments.
• Familiarity with contamination controls, radiological surveys, or radioactive material handling.
• Experience with isotope production, gloveboxes, hot cells, or radiochemical separations.
• Experience supporting startup, commissioning, or operational readiness activities.

Skills & Attributes

• Passionate about unleashing beneficial isotopes.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Willing and able to learn quickly.
• Eager to work on a dynamic team, receive constructive feedback, and grow with us.
• Willing to think differently and do things in new ways.
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced, highly iterative startup environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Attention to detail and procedural compliance.
• Excited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving, while not leaning only on what has been done before.
• Willing to propose novel and creative solutions to technical problems.
• An excellent writer who can write in modern active voice.
• Sound judgment and decision‑making in radiological and operational environments.

Benefits

Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, bonuses, competitive pay, 401(k), health insurance (with employer contribution), HSA, FSA, flexible work hours, wellness credits, and other benefits.

Travel & Remote Work Policy

Oklo requires remote employees to travel to headquarters in Santa Clara, CA twice a quarter annually, based on business or team needs, including attendance at team meetings, off‑sites, and other company events. For the first two weeks of onboarding, employees are required to be in person at headquarters.

Export Control

This position may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws. Only applicants who meet the definition of a U.S. person under applicable laws may be eligible.

Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer

Oklo is aware of recent recruitment fraud attempts targeting job seekers. All legitimate communications from our recruiting team — including application updates, interview requests, and job offers — will come exclusively from an @oklo.com email. Oklo will never ask for sensitive personal information, payments, or account credentials during the hiring process. If you receive suspicious outreach or have concerns about the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from Oklo, please contact us through the official channels listed on our website.