Research Technologist

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement plan with 401(k) matching

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, is seeking a Research Technologist 2 to join a production and manufacturing team handling actinide materials. You will contribute to purification and generation within glove boxes and operate analytical equipment with a focus on safety and precision.

The role requires a Bachelor of Science in science or engineering with related experience, DOE Q clearance, and capability to work with hazardous materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 5 years related experience or an equivalent combination.
• DOE Order 426.2a requires BS in science/engineering with nuclear experience.
• Active DOE Q Clearance and HRP Certified are required/preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture product in glove box operations with actinide materials.
• Calibrate and maintain instruments in gloveboxes and related spaces.
• Work in a team with managers, engineers, and technicians.
• Develop and modify methods to analyze new materials.

Skills

Analytical equipment

Calibration

Glovebox work

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Self-guided learning

Radiation safety

Education

Bachelor of Science in science/engineering

5+ years related experience

Nuclear experience

Tools

NDT instruments

Glovebox equipment

Analytical instruments

Job description

What You Will Do y158000 What You Will Do

Join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) builds careers that routinely result in international recognition. The work we do at LANL matters to our country and the world.

You will be part of a production and manufacturing team within LANL's nuclear facility contributing to the recovery, reuse, dispositioning, and storage of nuclear materials. Our plutonium facility is at the forefront of the nation and the world in research and development supporting nuclear materials processing. This role works in a team environment to manufacture product in glove box operations. Most of the daily work is "hands on" glove box work in the purification and generation of actinide oxides and metal involving Pu-239/242, Am-241, U-235, and other actinide isotopes.

The Research Technologist 2 will work as a technical consultant to establish procedures, processes, requirements, or specifications to perform work on tasks/projects. Duties may include but are not limited to, calibration, and maintenance activities of various instruments and equipment located in gloveboxes, and non-destructive testing instruments.

shiftwork

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in one or more of the following: operation, calibration, and maintenance of analytical equipment; physical characteristics of powders; performing work in fume hoods and/or regular/inert atmosphere glovebox.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as an individual or part of a team in a multi-disciplined and formal environment; specifically working with First Line Managers, Process Engineers, Quality Engineers, and Technicians.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact with internal and external customers.
• Motivated to be a self-guided learner of new techniques under the supervision of more experienced personnel.
• Ability to develop and modify methods and procedures to analyze new materials.
• Willingness to work with radioactive materials and other hazardous materials in a rigorous safety environment.

Education/Experience

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation

DOE Order 426.2

Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in science or engineering or related science, 2 years of job-related experience and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Clearance

Active DOE Q Clearance and HRP Certified

Desired Qualifications

• Experience and working knowledge in SNM material handling/movement.
• Experience working with radioactive materials.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of industry, regulatory, DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration criteria and standards.
• Experience performing work in manufacturing environment.
• Experience with method validation and analysis of measurement uncertainty.

Experience with any of the following

• Actinide Chemistry; Materials Characterization; performing work in regular/inert atmosphere gloveboxes; Familiarity with thermogravimetric analysis/Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Mass Spectrometry, Particle Size Distribution Analysis - Laser Diffraction, Surface Area - Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence, and/or Tapped density analysis.
• Experience with analytical methods and data analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of industry, regulatory, DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) complex codes, standards, and criteria pertinent to the area of research.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation)

Ability to discriminate speech, sitting, standing, bending, balancing, use of both hands, use of both arms, use of both legs and use of both feet.

Location

This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.

Work Schedule

This position may require shift work.

Position commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.

Notes to Applicants

• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive resume or CV reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.
• Evaluation of applications will commence immediately.
• While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grow into the full salary band over time.

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 401(k) (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.

Clearance: Q

(Position will be cleared to this level). The selected applicants will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matters. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*Eligibility requirements

To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

HRP

This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, 712.11. These requirements include ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2a

This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2a, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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