Responsibilities

The Nuclear Chemistry & Engineering (NCE) Group supports Hanford Site cleanup, river corridor protection, nuclear materials stewardship, non-proliferation missions, the nuclear fuel life cycle, national security missions, and energy production, and is engaged in expanding the beneficial use of nuclear materials and radionuclides. Through high-quality fundamental and applied science and strong academic collaborations, we are fostering a renewed focus on radiochemistry and irradiated materials research for providing solutions in nuclear nonproliferation, environmental cleanup and protection, advanced nuclear energy, and for use in medicine and industry.

The NCE group is seeking a mid-career material scientist to join a team of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers working to advance nuclear science. The selected candidate would lead tasks and projects associated with our molten salt and fluourination capability. The ideal candidate will have hands on experience in molten salt and flouride processing with actinide and/or actinide surrogate materials.

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Conducting research and development for fluorination and molten salt systems.
• Safely and proficiently operating complex and hazardous systems involving radioactive and toxic materials.
• Expertly applying various analytical techniques.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in chemistry, nuclear chemistry, nuclear engineering or related field.
• Experience with gloveboxes.
• Experience with radioactive materials.
• Experience with molten salt.
• Experience with fluorine chemistry.
• Experience with operating analytical instruments, such as XRD, spectroscopy, calorimetry, etc.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• The group and team reside in the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL). The RPL is a Hazard Category II Nuclear Facility with capability for performing work on high-level radioactive and hazardous materials.
• Candidates must be able to achieve Radiological Worker 2 qualification.
• The incumbent must be able to access the Personnel Contamination Monitors (PCMs) when exiting Radiological Buffer Areas.
• There will be occasional off-shift work evenings, nights and weekends.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees 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 Applicants

PNNL 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 Salary

USD $122,100.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $193,000.00/Yr.