Post Doctorate RA - Actinide Chemistry

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a Research Associate to join the Nuclear Material Processing (NMP) group within the National Security Directorate. The role focuses on hands-on radiochemical work with actinides and lanthanides, including separations, redox chemistry, and analytical characterization.

You will engage across projects, present findings, and contribute to proposals. The position requires a PhD in radiochemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry or a

Qualifications

• PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in bench, or actinide, or lanthanide chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research and work on team projects.
• Interact, communicate, and collaborate with a diverse team of research staff across PNNL.
• Present research at technical conferences and project/program review meetings.
• Contribute to the development of research proposals.

Skills

Actinide chemistry

Lanthanide chemistry

Bench chemistry

Education

PhD in radiochemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry or related field

Job description

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Integrated Discovery Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex,real-worldthreats to our nation and the world. The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.

Responsibilities

The position will report directly within the Nuclear Material Processing (NMP) group, which resides within the National Security Directorate at PNNL. The position will support several projects that are aligned around common themes of:

• Hands on wet chemistry operations involving lanthanides and actinides, particularly the transuranium elements Pu and Am.
• Radiochemistry separations processes, including hands-on anion and cation chromatography separations.
• Inorganic chemical or physical transformations, including redox chemistry, oxide conversation/dissolution, and synthesis.
• Analytical analyses include optical and vibratory spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction.

Research Associate Will

• Conduct independent research and work on team projects.
• Interact, communicate, and collaborate with a diverse team of research staff across PNNL.
• Present research at technical conferences and project/program review meetings.
• Contribute to the development of research proposals.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in bench, or actinide, or lanthanide chemistry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in radiochemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry or related field.
• Well-versed in actinide or lanthanide chemistry.
• Experience with wet chemistry and anion/cation exchange chromatography.
• A track record for planning, conducting, and reporting experimental work is required as evidenced by a growing list of peer-reviewed publications.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

The incumbent must be able/willing to work with hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials. The primary work location for this position is within the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL), a DOE hazard category 2 non-reactor nuclear facility, at PNNL. This unique research facility is supported by the DOE's Office of Science, and the primary mission is to conduct cutting edge research on actinides or other high-dose radioactive and nuclear materials.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them! At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [e-mail].

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal