Postdoctoral Research Associate in Radionuclide and Isotope Geochemistry

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision

401k Retirement Plan

Tuition Assistance

Relocation Support

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Analytical Earth Science Group (EES-15) to investigate environmental isotopic signatures and radionuclide transport in support of subsurface nuclear proliferation monitoring. The successful candidate will conduct laboratory and field-relevant measurements to link isotope data with transport mechanisms.

The role involves developing reproducible workflows for sample preparation, measurements, and data analysis,

Qualifications

• PhD in geochemistry, hydrogeology, earth science, environmental science or engineering, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience experimentally investigating reactive transport, groundwater flow and solute transport, geochemical reactions, or related coupled subsurface processes.
• Experience with isotope ratio measurements using gas source magnetic sector mass spectrometers, quadrupole mass spectrometers, and/or cavity ring down spectroscopy as well as associated preparation of gaseous and aqueous samples.
• Record of publishing in peer reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory and field-relevant measurements to investigate environmental isotopic signatures and radionuclide transport.
• Develop reproducible experimental and data analysis workflows; prepare technical reports and peer-reviewed publications; present results at conferences and program reviews.
• Contribute to new research directions and collaborate across groups.

Skills

Isotope analysis

Data analysis

Geochemistry

Experimental design

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in geochemistry or related field

Tools

Gas-source MS

Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy

Quadrupole MS

Job description

What You Will Do

The Analytical Earth Science Group (EES-15) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate environmental isotopic signatures and radionuclide transport in support of subsurface nuclear proliferation monitoring. The successful candidate will conduct laboratory and field-relevant measurements to determine how physical and geochemical transport processes influence the generation, migration, and detectability of isotopic signatures in the subsurface. The position will include laboratory experiments designed to connect isotope measurements with specific transport mechanisms. These studies may include batch reaction, diffusion cell, or column gas transport experiments conducted under conditions representative of subsurface porous and fractured geologic media. The candidate will develop and apply analytical workflows for sample preparation, experimental measurements, and data analysis using appropriate techniques. The candidate will analyze experimental and environmental samples, including isotope ratio mass spectrometry measurements of transport signatures, and integrate measurements with complementary geochemical and physical observations.

The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team of analytical chemists, geochemists, experimentalists, and computational earth scientists. They will develop reproducible experimental and data analysis workflows; prepare technical reports and peer reviewed publications; present results at conferences and program reviews; and contribute to new research directions. The position is expected to be jointly mentored by scientists in Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group (C-NR) and EES-15.

The position is for a two year term, with the possibility of extension for a third year based on performance and funding availability.

Minimum Job Requirements

• A Ph.D. in geochemistry, hydrogeology, earth science, environmental science or engineering, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience experimentally investigating reactive transport, groundwater flow and solute transport, geochemical reactions, or related coupled subsurface processes.
• Experience with isotope ratio measurements using gas source magnetic sector mass spectrometers, quadrupole mass spectrometers, and/or cavity ring down spectroscopy as well as associated preparation of gaseous and aqueous samples.
• Record of publishing in peer reviewed journals.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.

Education/Experience

Candidates must have received a Ph.D. within the last five years in a STEM field, or will have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of nuclear nonproliferation monitoring, subsurface radionuclide transport, or environmental radiochemistry.
• Laboratory experience with batch sorption, diffusion cells, columns, core flooding systems, gas transport measurements, or other experiments relevant to subsurface transport.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate modeling and experimental research and to translate laboratory scale observations into predictions relevant to field scale systems.

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants

No applicant is expected to have all of the desired qualifications. Anyone who meets the minimum requirements is encouraged to apply. The application package should include a CV and a one page cover letter describing how the candidate meets the minimum requirements and any relevant desired qualifications.

In addition to applying online, candidates may email their CV and cover letter to Drs. Hayden Miller ([e-mail]) and Chelsea Neil ([e-mail]).

Outstanding candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship or the J. Robert Oppenheimer, Richard P. Feynman, or Frederick Reines Fellowships. For information about the application process, postdoctoral salaries, and fellowships, visit the LANL Postdoctoral Research Program.

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 401k (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)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre employment background checks.

New Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre offer.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

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. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.