Responsibilities

The Nuclear Material Processing (NMP) group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking an early career materials scientist to join a team of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers working to strengthen national security and advance nuclear science. The ideal candidate will have hands on experience in actinide and/or actinide surrogate material processing and operating research equipment for thermal analysis, including calorimeters (calvet-type and/or differential scanning), thermogravimetric-differential thermal analyzers, thermomechanical analyzers, and muffle/tube furnaces. Additionally, the candidate should be familiar with typical solid material characterization tools (e.g., x-ray diffraction). Experience with residual gas mass spectrometry and working in radiological fume hoods and glove-boxes is desired but not required.

The successful candidate will work with senior team members as a contributor to the broad program of NMP group research. The candidate's contributions will derive from their ability to propose technical alternatives on existing projects and efforts, ultimately leading to the development of new proposal concepts. The candidate will work independently to complete recurring assignments and define/lead project work at a small task/project level, reporting results to the larger team on time and within budget. They will be expected to contribute to proposals as well as embrace expectations for quality, safety, and security in all aspects of the job.

The materials scientist will be responsible for applying advanced knowledge of thermal analysis techniques to investigate and evaluate the properties and behavior of materials under various temperature conditions, including natural, synthetic, and composite materials such as salts, glass, metals, alloys, ceramics, and combinations of these materials. The successful candidate will perform comprehensive characterization of products derived from solid, liquid, and gas phase reactions, utilizing a range of analytical and spectroscopic methods to assess material composition, structure, and performance. Specific research areas include physics, chemistry, materials science, glass science, ceramic science, and corrosion science.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
• Demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team member
• Experience with radioactive materials and nuclear science/technology
• Experience with halide molten salts, ceramics, and glasses
• Experience with processing of actinide or actinide surrogate materials
• Experience with thermal analysis instrumentation and methods (TGA-DTA, TMA, DSC, Calvet-type calorimetry)
• Experience with solid/gas phase materials characterization (XRD, RGA)
• Experience with radiological fume hoods and glove-boxes

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

The incumbent must be able/willing to work with hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials in the Radiochemical Processing Lab.

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.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

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.

Testing Designated Position

This 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 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 $100,100.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $150,200.00/Yr.