What are the responsibilities and job description for the Earth Radiochemist 2 position at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory?
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Nuclear Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, delivers science and technology innovations for the environment, energy, and national security. At a time when complex challenges are emerging on many fronts, we address some of the most challenging national and international nuclear issues. This includes providing technological solutions that protect the public health and safety around nuclear facilities, developing durable new materials for extreme nuclear environments, innovating new nuclear processes for the safety and security of the nation, and delivering new approaches for accelerating environmental cleanup of nuclear sites. The division’s capabilities and efforts are focused on environmental management of nuclear sites, nuclear regulatory processes, national nuclear security, and advancing nuclear energy
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.
Click Here For Rockstar Rewards
- Nuclear Chemistry & Engineering Group: radiochemical process engineering, separations, conversion technologies.
- Radiological Materials Group: waste‑form development, vitrification/immobilization, glass & cementitious materials, process development, off‑gas capture & immobilization.
- BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
- MS/MA -OR-
- PhD
- PhD in Earth Science, Radiochemistry; Radioanalytical Chemistry; Materials Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or related field and 2 years of relevant experience including post-doc.
- Experience handling radioactive materials and specifically have experience performing radiochemical separations.
- This includes gas-phase separations, column separations, solvent extraction, and other methods typical in separation science.
- Knowledge of the solution chemistry and separations strategies of an array of radioisotopes from elements such as Sr, Y, Zr, Pb, Bi, At, Rn, Ra, Th, and U. A candidate with direct experience handling heavy noble gases such as Kr, Xe, and Rn will be preferred.
- Hands on experience with beta emitter detection (³⁶Cl, ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y, ⁹⁹Tc) and microfluidic separations integrated with optical/electronic detection.
- Experience programming and/or operating milli- and micro-fluidic systems and milli- and micro-scale chemical separation techniques.
- Experience with in-line and on-line monitoring of fluidic processes using an assortment of detectors and sensors is a plus.
- Prior work in hazard category II or hot cell/glovebox laboratory environments.
- Demonstrated ability to work safely in laboratory environments and follow radiological controls and QA practices.
- An established record of proposing, winning, and executing competitive research projects.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, a demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team.
- Work will involve radiological laboratories using hot cells, gloveboxes, and radiological fume hoods under approved permit and radiological postings.
- Strict adherence to conduct of operations, radiation protection, and facility‑specific procedures is required.
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.
About PNNL:At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
For foreign national candidates: