Glass Lab Technician 2

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.

At a time when complex environmental problems are emerging on every front, the Nuclear Sciences Division's staff, capabilities, and facilities are delivering science and technology innovations for the environment, as well as for energy and national security needs. Our diverse work addresses a wide range of national and international challenges, from providing solutions that protect the health of people who must work in hazardous environments, to developing durable new materials, streamlining industrial processes for improved productivity and effectiveness, and delivering new approaches for environmental cleanup. Nuclear Sciences Division capabilities and efforts are focused in three key areas including Environmental Health and Remediation, Nuclear Regulatory, and Nuclear Energy. The Radiological Materials (RM) group at PNNL is a world leader in development and testing of materials for immobilization of nuclear and hazardous wastes. Specific areas of noted expertise are in formulation, synthesis, and characterization of vitreous and cementitious materials.

This position will work with and assist scientists, engineers, senior technicians, and other collaborators in conducting the research and development (R&D) process in the general area of materials development and testing. The primary functions of this position are to fabricate samples, operate analytical equipment, perform laboratory-based experiments, and provide technical coordination in support of a variety of R&D projects. Most of the work will be in the Waste Form Development Laboratory and will involve preparation and characterization of nuclear waste forms (e.g., glasses, ceramics, cementitious materials) for immobilization of radioactive wastes. The majority of the work is non-rad and is conducted using simulant materials. Other activities may include work with developing and testing other waste form materials, general chemistry tasks and material corrosion evaluations using electrochemical and microscopy techniques. The staff member will conduct tests, generate records, and reduce/evaluate data as appropriate for use by others.

The work includes following procedures for operating test systems on the bench-top and in laboratory fume hoods involving hazardous and radioactive material as well as toxic and flammable gases and liquids at high temperatures ( 1000 °C) and pressures. The work also includes following procedures to provide a high level of quality assurance (QA), which requires that accurate records be kept and maintained and that the laboratory and QA procedures are followed precisely. The technician position provides the opportunity to work on a wide and diverse list of tasks and projects, offering a variety of new challenges as the priorities, customers, and workscopes change with time. The successful candidate will be an integral member of an inter-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians to primarily test various nuclear waste form materials (e.g., cements, glass, ceramics) or in the chemical treatment of nuclear wastes or other complex systems.

• High school diploma/GED and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• Technical Institute Graduate (TIG)/relevant AA degree or higher and 1 year of relevant experience

• Ability and enthusiasm to learn laboratory techniques, sample preparation methods, and safe operation of laboratory equipment. Coursework, training, or exposure to chemistry, materials science, engineering, or related scientific disciplines.
• Highly adaptive to support a broad range of projects.
• The ability to work well with large teams.
• Self-starter able to work with limited direction to accomplish unique tasks in a laboratory environment
  Capability to learn, implement, and compliantly execute the broad range of tasks.

• 1000 °C) and pressures, selected hazardous chemicals (acids, bases, etc.), trace levels of hazardous materials (RCRA heavy metals), and fine powders (silica)

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.