Job DescriptionSRNL seeks a Senior Scientist & Engineer with broad and deep expertise in radiochemistry, environmental chemistry, materials science, and advanced X ray and spectroscopic characterization. This role provides scientific leadership across federal mission spaces including nuclear materials processing, radiological environmental science, nuclear fuel cycle R&D, waste form development, safeguards and nonproliferation, analytical method development, and emerging signature science.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in interfacial chemistry, contaminant speciation, materials degradation mechanisms, ion exchange and separation science, cementitious and engineered waste materials, and cutting edge synchrotron and benchtop X ray methods.
This position is designed for a senior technical leader who integrates fundamental chemistry, advanced measurement science, and applied systems understanding to generate new knowledge, test hypotheses, develop technologies, guide national laboratory programs, and address complex radiochemical and materials challenges across multiple federal sponsors.
ResponsibilitiesScientific Leadership & Technical Innovation- Lead research in radiochemistry, geochemistry, and materials chemistry, emphasizing contaminant fate, transport, and chemical transformations in complex aqueous, geological, and engineered systems.
- Design and execute studies integrating spectroscopy, scattering, microscopy, thermodynamic modeling, and complementary analyses to resolve mechanisms of radionuclide behavior, coordination environments, redox chemistry, and solid-phase evolution.
- Advance separation know-how through ion exchange, sorbent, hybrid resin, and novel material science methods, including mechanistic studies and performance prediction for diverse contaminants.
- Lead research on cementitious and mineral-based materials including hydration, aging, redox dynamics, contaminant retention, and optimization of contaminant loading and leach behavior.
- Investigate and develop surface coatings, fixatives, and engineered barrier materials, characterizing physicochemical interactions at microscale and macroscale.
Advanced Measurement Science- Serve as a laboratory authority in synchrotron-based X-ray absorption, emission, fluorescence, and scattering techniques, leading proposal development and multi-institutional beamline campaigns at APS, SSRL, and international facilities.
- Apply benchtop XES, XRF, XAS, XRD, SEM/EDS, and associated methods to characterize materials under radiological and non-radiological conditions.
- Develop new analytical workflows for speciation analysis, microstructural evaluation, redox state quantification, and chemical imaging of complex systems.
- Integrate experimental techniques with transport modeling, thermodynamic calculations (PHREEQC, GWB, GEMS), and data analytics (Python) to inform mechanistic and predictive understanding.
Program Development Across Federal Mission Areas- Lead and support R&D portfolios for programs such as:
• DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) - fuel cycle chemistry, waste forms, & separations
• DOE Office of Science - BES/chemical sciences/ BER/earth systems processes
• NNSA/NA 22 - signature science, materials characterization, & nuclear security
• Interagency programs and international collaborations in nuclear materials science
• DOE EM (as one of several areas), including groundwater investigation, environmental chemistry, and materials degradation science
Collaboration & Scientific Community Leadership- Build national and international research networks across national laboratories, universities, and industry partners.
- Represent SRNL through invited talks, conference session organization, editorial roles, and participation in user committees at large scientific facilities (e.g., APS UEC).
- Mentor junior scientists, postdocs, and interns; guide development of the next-generation measurement and materials science workforce.
Core Competencies- Scientific Authority: Recognized expert in radiochemical and materials characterization science; able to create new understanding and methods applicable across federal domains.
- Innovation & Mechanistic Insight: Ability to derive fundamental chemical mechanisms and translate them into technological or predictive advances.
- Programmatic Versatility: Capable of contributing to and leading research for NE, NNSA, EM, SC, and interagency missions, with adaptability across topic areas.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Geochemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
- 10+ years of post PhD R&D experience with national impact, including leadership of multi disciplinary projects and collaborations.
- Demonstrated expertise in advanced X-ray methods, spectroscopic and microscopic characterization, and applied materials/radiochemical science.
- Evidence of national scientific leadership through publications, reports, invited talks, awards, and editorial roles.
- Strong peer-reviewed publication record
- Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is legally required.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience conducting or leading experiments at DOE light sources or equivalent.
- Familiarity with nuclear facility QA environments (e.g., NQA 1), though not program specific.
- Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, generate novel hypotheses, and lead new scientific directions, especially at the intersection of materials chemistry, radiochemistry, and environmental/earth system processes.
- Strong background integrating experimental and modeling approaches to test hypotheses.
About the TeamSRNL's Environmental & Legacy Management (ELM) Directorate closely collaborates with the Department of Energy (DOE) and site contractors to develop, mature, and apply science and technology needed to resolve environmental challenges and advance legacy management missions. As the lead laboratory for Environmental Management (DOE-EM) and Legacy Management (DOE-LM), SRNL applies our talent and expertise to develop and deploy innovative approaches and technologies to reduce risk, cost, and schedule of environmental cleanup and nuclear material processing. Additionally, ELM is using our competencies to develop new materials and processes for a range of clean energy applications.
