Postdoctoral Research Associate-Optical Spectroscopy

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Prescription Drug Plan

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

401(k) Retirement Plan

Contributory Pension Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Benefits

Vacation and Holidays

Parental Leave

Identity Theft Protection

Employee Assistance Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Accounts

Wellness Programs

Educational Assistance

Relocation Assistance

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Optical Spectroscopy. The role focuses on developing and operating advanced optical spectroscopy systems such as LIBS and OES, with experiments involving molten salts and radioactive materials.

The successful candidate will publish results and contribute to interdisciplinary data science efforts. Ideal candidates have a PhD in a relevant field and hands-on experience with lasers, optics, and spectroscopy, plus a strong

Qualifications

• PhD completed in the last 5 years or by January 2027.
• Experience with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, molten salt systems, and radioactive material handling.
• Hands-on expertise in lasers, optics, and optical emission spectroscopy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and operate advanced optical spectroscopy systems including LIBS, OES, and plasma diagnostics.
• Design and execute experiments involving molten salts and radioactive materials.
• Publish scientific papers and internal reports and present results.
• Align work with ORNL values and contribute to the research community.
• Commit to ORNL's Research Code of Conduct and integrity standards.

Skills

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Optical emission spectroscopy

Lasers

Python

Machine learning

Communication

Teamwork

Education

PhD in chemistry, physics, or engineering

Tools

Vacuum systems

Custom experimental hardware

Plasma diagnostics

Job description

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Postdoctoral Research Associate-Optical Spectroscopy

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

The Isotope Applications Research (IAR) group is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers working to advance technologies and knowledge for the production and application of radioisotopes and nuclear materials. The successful candidate will be integrated into multiple efforts within the group focused on integrating computational and experimental approaches within the data science, process analytical technology, and chemical processing domains to address technology challenges for raidoistoope production and application.

Major Duties/Rsponsibilities:

• Develop and operate advanced optical spectroscopy systems including laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, optical emission spectroscopy, and plasma diagnostics.
• Design and execute experiments involving molten salts, radioactive materials, and/or gas handling systems.
• Publish scientific papers and internal reports resulting from this research and present results at the appropriate settings.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our cove values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Science.
• As a member of the ORNL scientific community, you will be expected to commit to ORNL’s Research Code of Conduct. Our full code of conduct and a statement by the Lab Director’s office can be found here: https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity

Basic Qualifications:

• To be eligible you must have completed a PhD in chemistry, physics, engineering, or a related field with in the last 5 years or expect to complete it by January 2027.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, molten salt systems, and radioactive material handling.
• Hands‑on expertise in lasers, optics, and optical emission spectroscopy.
• Experience designing custom experimental hardware, vacuum systems, and plasma diagnostics.
• Experience applying machine learning methods for predictive analysis.
• Expereince with the Python programming language.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team environment on scientifically challenging problems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate research results in peer‑reviewed publications.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

Special Requirements:

Applicants cannot receive their PhD more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible

Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following:

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email [e-mail].

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.