Principal Scientist

Nevada National Security Sites; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 121,867 - 185,848; Full time

Job summary

Nevada National Security Sites is seeking an enthusiastic individual for the Remote Sensing Laboratory at Nellis Air Force Base. This role involves collecting and analyzing radiological data to assist in national emergency response. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Health Physics or similar and experience in gamma-ray spectroscopy. The position offers competitive annual salaries ranging from $121,867 to $185,848, with a work schedule of 4/10s, Monday to Thursday.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a calculus-based STEM field with 9+ years relevant experience.
• Experience with gamma-ray spectroscopy or health physics is preferred.
• Ability to work under high-stress environments.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze radiological data for public safety.
• Provide expertise in radiation detection systems.
• Assist in developing company and emergency response guidelines.

Skills

Gamma-ray spectroscopy

Operational health physics

Training development and delivery

Strong communication skills

Critical job functions in high-stress environments

Education

Bachelor's degree in Health Physics or similar

Ph.D. in a relevant field

Tools

Office 365

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Remote Sensing Laboratory – located on Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, the Nuclear Search Program (NSP) seeks an enthusiastic and energetic individual to support national‑level radiological and nuclear emergency response assets. The role involves collecting and analyzing radiological data, utilizing specialized tools to assess impacts to the public, workers, and the environment, maintaining qualification as an emergency responder, and participating in on‑call duties, worldwide deployments, and training activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze radiological data from a variety of platforms, and advise public safety officials on the consequences of a radiological incident.
• Utilize specialized tools and applications to calculate potential impacts to the public, workers, and the environment to support radiological emergencies.
• Attain and maintain qualification as an emergency responder.
• Serve rotating, on‑call duty for approximately a third of the year, typically in one‑week increments.
• Deploy world‑wide for exercises and responses with as little as two‑hour notice when on‑call.
• Maintain training and ensure job‑specific qualifications remain current; attend onsite and off‑site training as necessary to maintain competency.
• Assist in the development of company and emergency response guidelines, manuals, procedures, etc.
• Develop and implement corrective actions and lessons learned.
• Develop training materials and deliver trainings to emergency responders across the DOE community.
• Assist with the preparation of technical reports and recommendations.
• Organize, evaluate, and interpret data by comparison against standards and guidelines.
• Plan and conduct work requiring judgment in the evaluation, selection, application, adaptation, and modification of standard techniques, guidelines, procedures, and criteria.
• Maintain the ability to present analysis results to a technical or non‑technical audience.
• Conduct testing and evaluation of radiation detection equipment and acquisition/analysis software.
• Provide expertise, feedback, and input into the development of improved radiation detection systems and analysis algorithms.
• Provide scientific guidance on projects involving an interdisciplinary team of engineers, software developers, scientists, and technicians.
• Operate radiation detection equipment in field operations.
• Maintain subject matter expertise and proficiency on detection equipment to instruct during courses or offer troubleshooting during operations or events.
• Develop and design scientific and technical content for training exercises.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor/Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering or a similar calculus‑based STEM field, plus at least 9 years relevant experience. Ph.D. is preferred. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• Experience with one or more of the following is highly desired: gamma‑ray spectroscopy, operational health physics, customer service and/or training development and delivery.
• Additional enhancing experience includes radiation detection, algorithm development, transport codes, programming, prototype design and testing, and training design or delivery.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to work on complex applied projects in a group atmosphere.
• Ability to interface effectively with technical personnel from other MSTS organizations, outside organizations, and government agencies.
• Willing and able to perform work during non‑standard hours, take on‑call duty, and deploy worldwide on short notice.
• Ability to perform critical job functions while under high‑stress environments such as those presented in real‑world deployments.
• Meet company requirements for worldwide travel, including medical, physical, and immunizations.
• Work independently or as part of a team on a wide variety of tasks.
• Working knowledge of Office 365, Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and Outlook is required.
• Fitted for and qualified to use various respiratory protection and personal protective equipment.
• Able to lift 50 lbs.
• Participate in National Response Asset Deployment activities, including flight onboard government aircraft for missions and deployments.
• Submit to immunizations for worldwide travel.
• Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain SCI accesses.
• Primary work location: Remote Sensing Laboratory at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV (RSLN).
• Work schedule: 4/10s, Monday‑Thursday (subject to change).
• Pre‑placement physical examination, including a drug screen, is required; MSTS maintains a substance‑abuse policy including random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Annual salary range: $121,867.20 - $185,848.00. Starting salary is determined based on market value, candidate education, experience, and internal equity.

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug‑free workplace.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship and at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted. Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence‑scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”