Scientist 1/2

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

401(k) matching

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Scientist 1 or 2 for the Heat Source Pu Analytical Chemistry Team in PF-4, a Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility. The role focuses on chemical analysis of 238PuO2 materials, glovebox operations, method development and data reporting.

The successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team, qualify as a fissile material handler, and contribute to procedure writing and process improvement while maintaining data quality assurance and LIMS usage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM field and related experience.
• Experience with analytical chemistry in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on glovebox work including sample prep, chemical analysis and instrument operation.
• Support Pu-238 program with potential Pu-239 cross-training.
• Prepare standards, samples and batch runs; assist data reduction and reporting.
• Develop and troubleshoot analytical methods; maintain QA and LIMS usage.
• Collaborate in a small team with clear deliverables and documentation.

Skills

Glovebox work

Chemical analysis

Instrument operation

Data reduction

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

LIMS

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply. The C-AAC (Actinide Analytical Chemistry) Group within the Chemistry Division has a position available for a Scientist 1 or 2 in the Heat Source Plutonium Analytical Chemistry Team working in the Plutonium Facility (PF-4). PF-4 is an operational Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.

The duties for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Performing hands‑on glovebox work including sample preparation, chemical analysis and instrument operation.
• The individual will perform work primarily for the heat source Pu (Pu-238) program, but opportunities to cross‑train in Pu-239 operations may be available.
• Knowledge and/or experience in chemical dissolutions, radiochemical separations, alpha and gamma spectrometry sample preparation and counting, FRAM, DC Arc spectrometry, UV‑VIS spectrophotometry, interstitial analysis of plutonium materials, and/or complex data reduction and analysis.
• Job duties will also include assisting in standard preparation, sample preparation and sample batch runs.
• Work will include data reduction/calculations, interpretation, and reporting.
• The selected candidate will ultimately support and perform the chemical analysis of 238PuO2 fuel materials, as well as instrument troubleshooting, procedure writing, process troubleshooting and method improvement.
• Position requires the candidate to have an understanding/experience with data quality assurance, data reduction, data review, LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) use.
• The applicant must have substantial experience working in a research or production laboratory.
• Job duties will require qualification as a fissile material handler (FMH) worker.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a small team with specific deliverables including excellent communication, organizational, planning, and scheduling skills.
• Maintain functional analytical operations and provide regular updates to line management.
• Manage time effectively to deal with changing priorities.
• Work with group management and team leaders to resolve conflicting demands.
• Demonstrate effective teamwork in accomplishing objectives, including mentoring and motivating peers.

Work is routinely carried out in open front hoods and gloveboxes and requires the use of protective clothing and equipment and use of a full‑face respirator. Selected candidate will be expected to be, or develop into, an expert in one or more technical areas within the team. Candidates must be familiar with chemical laboratory operations. Teamwork, flexibility, and cross‑training are emphasized.

The successful candidate will report to the Team Lead and C‑AAC line management. This group is responsible for chemical analysis and chemical certification of products generated in the plutonium facility.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of and experience performing work in a manufacturing environment and executing work in compliance with facility requirements, conduct of operations, conducts of engineering, and conduct of maintenance standards.
• Demonstrated experience working with confidential or proprietary information, classified documents or sensitive information.
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills as evidenced by internal and/or external interactions, seminars, briefings, presentations, and/or publications.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, and ability to interact with all levels of personnel and customers.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which usually requires US citizenship.

Additional Job Requirements for Scientist 2

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute chemical techniques to help achieve program‑relevant goals.
• Demonstrated understanding of the scientific principles relevant to chemical characterization of actinides.
• Experience developing, implementing, or improving analytical methods.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise scientific judgement.

Education/Experience for Scientist 1

Position requires a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience for Scientist 2

Position requires a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post‑doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in analytical and/or radiochemistry.
• Demonstrated experience working in a nuclear facility and or with special nuclear material including, but not limited to, Pu-238, Pu-239, and U-235.
• Demonstrated experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team of technicians, engineers, generators and professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience executing work in compliance with facility requirements.
• Thorough knowledgeable of Integrated Work Management (IWM) and integrated safety and security management (ISSM) procedures.
• Experience with nuclear high hazard facility operating requirements, safety authorization basis and/or Conduct of Operations planning and execution.
• DOE Q Clearance and HRP Certification.

Work Environment

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.

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 1 year.

Note 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.

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. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

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 remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.

Regular Position

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular‑status positions are converted to regular status.

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 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.