ResponsibilitiesDOE's Office of Environmental Management Graduate Fellowship Program is seeking graduate fellows to work on some of the nation's greatest cleanup efforts. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to collaboration and work-life balance. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven interns come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
Cleanup of highly complex waste, contaminated soil, and groundwater is one of the Department of Energy's most important environmental challenges. The EM Graduate Fellowship Program (EMGFP) provides recent graduates with an opportunity to conduct hands-on research that supports the mission of DOE's Office of Environmental Management (EM).
Environmental remediation of legacy waste requires assessment of a range of scientific data, including soil and groundwater analyses, geology, geophysical measurements, and data from remediation systems. In this project, the selected candidate will help advance spectral induced polarization (SIP), an electrical geophysical method for real-time monitoring of subsurface remediation technologies.
The project will explore how SIP can be used to understand the behavior and effectiveness of two types of remediation approaches:
- Liquid phosphate amendments used to promote in situ apatite formation.
- Reducing agents, such as zero-valent iron (ZVI), used for immobilization and degradation.
The candidate will combine geophysical measurements with geochemical and mineralogical data to better understand what is happening during remediation. The goal is to develop SIP as a practical, non-invasive way to monitor where remediation amendments are distributed, how they react in the subsurface, and how well they continue to perform over time.
You do not need to be an expert in SIP or environmental remediation to be successful in this position. We are looking for a motivated early-career scientist who is excited to learn, work with different types of data, and contribute to an important environmental challenge.
This fellowship offers an opportunity to develop skills in laboratory research, data analysis, and environmental remediation while working with an interdisciplinary research team. Fellows will also have opportunities to turn research findings into practical recommendations that can support environmental cleanup decisions.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:- Conduct laboratory experiments to collect spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements and other supporting chemical and mineralogical data.
- Analyze and interpret different types of environmental data to understand how remediation treatments change over time.
- Explore relationships between geophysical measurements and changes in the chemistry and minerals present in the system.
- Work with team members from different scientific backgrounds to evaluate how effectively remediation treatments are working.
- Help develop approaches for monitoring remediation progress and long-term performance.
- Communicate research findings and contribute to recommendations that can support environmental remediation efforts.
Due to sponsor funding requirements outlined in the MSIPP-EM SOW, eligibility for this position is limited to candidates who graduated with their undergrad or masters at a Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must have received a Master's degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Geophysics, Geology/Geoscience, Geochemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, or a closely related field
- Laboratory experience.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentWorking in labs with potential hazardous materials.
Testing Designated PositionThis position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum SalaryUSD $80,500.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $104,700.00/Yr.
