Nonproliferation Research Scientist

Savannah River National Laboratory; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) seeks a staff research scientist to advance nuclear materials processing, chemical separations, sampler development and field sampling. You will use ICP‑MS and TIMS to quantify ultra‑low radionuclides in environmental samples for diverse applications.

Responsibilities include planning safe execution, proposing new work, communicating status to sponsors, publishing research, and developing hazard analyses.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 6–8 years of analytical chemistry or related STEM experience.
• PhD with 3–5 years of relevant research in nuclear/environmental chemistry.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee safe execution of research activities.
• Develop proposals to secure new SRNL funding for self and team.
• Communicate task requirements, project status, risks, and outcomes to teams and sponsors.
• Publish impactful research in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Develop hazards analysis reports and work control documents.
• Perform ion exchange chromatography of environmental samples.
• Operate ICP‑MS and TIMS instruments.
• Measure samples to support project milestones.
• Write scripts for statistical evaluation of data.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry

Mass Spectrometry

Experimental Design

Research Leadership

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

ICP-MS

TIMS

Job description

Job Description

The Global Security Directorate at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is seeking candidates for a staff research scientist position to support research, technology development, and mission execution in nuclear material processing, chemical separations, sampler development and testing, and field sampling. The successful applicant will initially support research and development projects at SRNL. The successful applicant will work or learn to work with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometers (TIMS). These instruments will be used to measure and quantify ultra-low levels of radionuclides in environmental samples to support a wide variety of applications. There will be opportunities to learn about different environmental samplers, about collecting samples in different locations, and about the development of software and methods for statistical evaluation of mass spectrometric data. SRNL advances technologies that enhances global security, assists with nuclear safeguards and nuclear nonproliferation applications, and address complex legacy challenges across the Department of Energy’s complex.

Responsibilities

• Planning and overseeing the safe execution of the work or technical activities.
• Developing research proposals with new research ideas to bring new work scope and funding to SRNL for yourself and your team members.
• Communicating task requirements, project status, risks, and outcomes to team members and sponsors.
• Performing impactful research that can be published in peer-reviewed publications.
• Participating in the development of hazards analysis reports and work control documents for research activities.
• Perform ion exchange chromatography of environmental samples.
• Operate both inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (quadrupole-based and multi-collector ICP-MSs) and thermal ionization mass spectrometers.
• Measure samples to support different R&D project tasks and milestones.
• Write scripts for the statistical evaluation of both measured and synthetic data.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters + 6-8 years of experience or PhD + 3-5 years of experience in Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Geochemistry, Nuclear Engineering, Data Science, Physics, or equivalent STEM field.
• Demonstrated ability to perform scientific research or experimental design.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to technical detail.
• For ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, US Citizenship is Legally Required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating and troubleshooting plasma source and thermal ionization mass spectrometers.
• Experience in nuclear materials processing, radiochemical separations, waste treatment technologies, or radiological operations.
• Experience with seeking external funding.
• Experience in DOE laboratory environments, nuclear facilities, or regulated high-hazard operations.
• Strong publication record.

About Us

“We put science to work!”

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state of the art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken SC, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation’s environmental, energy, and national security challenges.

Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA) is constantly assessing trends to provide the best possible benefits to our workforce. We also negotiate cost effective premiums that will meet the needs of our evolving workforce.

Some of the *Benefits offered to employees include:

• Benefits vary based upon employment status
• Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision options including HSA options with company provided seed
• Short- & Long-Term Disability (company paid)
• Life Insurance Non-Contributary 1X salary (company paid)
• AD&D Non-contributary 1x salary (company paid)
• Savings & Investment plan:
  • Qualified Non-Elective Company Contribution of 5% each pay period with immediate vesting
  • Company match 50 cents/dollar up to 8% (5 yrs. vesting in company match)
• Contributory Life Insurance up to 5x Salary with $1M Cap
• Contributory AD-DD (employee, spouse and children)
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Plan
• SRNL offers a competitive relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions.

For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at www.srnl.doe.gov .

BSRA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. BSRA 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. Please email us at [e-mail] with any questions regarding the hiring process or to request an accommodation.

About The Team

The Global Security Directorate (GSD) of SRNL provides a team focused on staff development and infrastructure upgrades for nuclear reprocessing science and technology programs at SRNL. GSD is growing its support of its critical NNSA nonproliferation portfolios and is building its teams to support these enduring programs. GSD is looking for people who can use their talents and experience to help build state of the art business programs as SRNL continues to use it diverse creative staff to deliver the highest quality programs to its customer.