Mass Spectrometry Scientist 2/3

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 104,100 - 172,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Paid childbirth and parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Scientist to join the Mass Spectrometry team, contributing to national security through research on actinide elements. The role requires expertise in analytical chemistry, with responsibilities that include sample preparation and data analysis.

The position offers competitive salaries based on level, with Scientist 2 earning $104,100–$172,200 and Scientist 3 earning $125,200–$211,300. A Bachelor's or Master's in a STEM field is necessary. Excellent communication skills and the ability to obtain a Q clearance are also required.

Qualifications

• Significant knowledge in analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry techniques.
• Experience with TIMS and ICPMS for actinide measurements.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Participate in sample preparations and data analysis using TIMS and ICPMS.
• Develop new methods for high-fidelity measurements.
• Mentor junior staff in technical and professional growth.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry

Mass Spectrometry

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a STEM field

Master's degree in a STEM field

Tools

TIMS

ICPMS

Job description

What You Will Do

The Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC) Group within Chemistry Division is looking for a Scientist to join the Mass Spectrometry team. The position serves the Laboratory's core national security mission areas of weapons science and threat reduction.

The successful applicant should expect to participate in sample preparations, separations, and data analysis using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) instruments on actinide elements specifically plutonium, uranium, and americium materials. The selected applicant will be expected to work on data reduction, reporting, troubleshooting and procedure writing. Due to the on-the-job training (OJT) requirements for this position, the selected applicants will be expected to complete the required training to become a glovebox operator. Occasionally the position will require the applicant to apply scientific principles to address technical problems, develop novel techniques or principles, and analyze data or outcomes from theoretical or experimental research in the area of TIMS and ICPMS. The Scientist 3 level will be recognized as a technical expert in actinide measurements using TIMS/ICPMS instrumentation.

This Position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3, 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.

Scientist 2 $104,100–$172,200

• Contributes to improvement of the QA/QC posture of the TIMS task area through development of analytical methods with better accuracy and precision.
• Works unsupervised on TIMS/ICPMS multi-collector instruments supporting individual projects and/or contributes to larger team efforts. Makes scientific judgments that affect project direction but often seeks feedback or receives review. May contribute to milestones and objective of multiple projects.
• Develops new methods, techniques, or approaches to address critical technical problems in high-fidelity measurements of plutonium, uranium, and/or americium using multi-collector TIMS/ICPMS instrumentation. Communicates results through appropriate channels.
• Contributes to measurement of routine samples for various customers and to the improvement of the analytical processes to facilitate faster turn‑around of results.
• Mentors junior staff and peers in technical and professional growth. May mentor students and/or post‑docs. Train junior staff on operation of TIMS/ICPMS instruments and in the preparation/separation of actinide elements for measurements using these instruments.
• Maintains state‑of‑the‑art technical expertise and knowledge within mass spectrometry task‑area and develops new skills in related disciplines. Performs peer review within own organization/discipline.
• Effective communications both oral and written with various collaborating teams.
• Works in a team environment with collaborative methods and interfaces.
• Manages time effectively with changing priorities.

Scientist 3 $125,200–$211,300

• Develops technical approaches, using creativity in applying standard practices and procedures, and leads technical decisions, including selections of technical alternatives, for assigned work.
• Evaluates instrumental data for uncertainty and in the evaluation/interpretation of TIMS/ICPMS analytical data.
• Troubleshoots TIMS/ICPMS instruments based on data from traceable standards collected as part of routine measurements.
• Contributes to the development of journal papers and technical reports.
• Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives and may contribute to the development of technical standards.
• May attain additional certifications, qualifications, and/or professional recognitions.
• Maintains/improves/streamlines work execution in collaboration with others on the team.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Significant knowledge of analytical chemistry and/or mass spectrometry techniques acquired by experience, certification and/or formal education.
• Significant knowledge and experience in operation and/or troubleshooting of multi‑collector instruments including TIMS and ICPMS instruments for high‑fidelity measurements and development of analytical techniques using these instruments.
• Experience reviewing data collection, record keeping and report generation.
• Demonstrated experience working independently.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including technical communications.
• Knowledge and experience in developing and implementing technical research in TIMS/ICPMS measurements and development projects.
• Knowledge and experience in formulating and presenting results to technical audiences.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including a full‑face respirator.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which usually requires US citizenship.
• Ability and willingness to perform work in a rigorously controlled work environment utilizing the principles of formality of operations and work authorization.
• Ability to follow procedures and guidelines in accordance with stringent quality assurance and quality control requirements.

Additional Job Requirements for higher level title

• Demonstrated understanding of principles of scientific integrity relating to mass spectrometric measurements documented in peer‑reviewed publications.

Education/Experience

At lower level: Positions requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post‑doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation.

At higher level: Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

DOE Order 426.2A: Requires a Bachelor's of Science degree in engineering or a related science or technology, 2 years of job related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge and experience with performing analytical work on less than milligram quantities of nuclear materials, working in a clean‑room environment and demonstrated experience of appropriate safe practices for mass spectrometry samples/standards.
• Thorough knowledge and experience in developing and implementing technical research and development projects.
• Familiarity with working in a nuclear facility and performing activities with radioactive materials.
• Active DOE Q clearance.

Work Environment

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.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth 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

Q clearance. 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 US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances.

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.