Demo

Chemist

Y12
Oak Ridge, TN Full Time
POSTED ON 11/18/2025 CLOSED ON 1/1/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chemist position at Y12?

Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Chemist
Career Level: Senior Specialist
Job Specialty: Analytical Chemistry

What You'll Do

  • Responsible for the non-destructive analysis (NDA) of uranium and other radioactive isotopes in the NDA Lab in Building 9212
  • Responsible for the set-up, use, maintenance, and calibration of NDA equipment and processes.
  • Performs all aspects of analysis, including calibration and standardization of instrumentation: routine, preventive, diagnostic, and quality control maintenance; unknown measurement; and data review and reporting.
  • Interfaces with program and laboratory managers to provide technical guidance on available analytical options and capabilities relevant to submitted analysis requests.
  • Works with laboratory manager to review and modernize current procedures as well as develop new methods and procedures for analytical services as technologies, requirements, customer needs evolve.
  • Interact with various customers and organizations inside and outside of building 9212.
  • Act as the Subject Matter Expert for the NDA Lab.

What You Can Expect

  • Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
  • Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
  • Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
  • Career advancement and professional development programs
  • Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives

Minimum Job Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a Physical Science plus 7 years of relevent experience. Experience in the field of NDA therory and pratical experience in the use of gama-ray and neutron-based NDA measurment instrumentation and NDA measurement software is required for this postion.
  • OR Master’s degree: Minimum 6 years of relevant experience. Typical experience ranging from 10 to 15 years.
  • In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related scientific major 2 years job-related, and 1-year nuclear experience; or a DOE O 426.2A alternative).

Preferred Job Requirements

  • Candidates must be skilled in data analysis, data processing, and data manipulation within multiple database, spreadsheet, word processing, and custom software applications.
  • Must have good organizational and analytical skills as well as excellent problem solving skills and ability to learn and develop innovative ways to non-destructively measure uranium.
  • Preferred work-related experience includes knowledge of nuclear material operations and processes within the Nuclear Weapons Complex.
  • Knowledge in computer programming, especially with Canberra/Mirion APEX software systems and the Python computer language.
  • Requires a broad knowledge of multifaceted areas of chemistry, with experience in modernizing and optimizing lab processes and instrumentation.
  • Requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, including technical writing skills. Requires a high level of personal motivation, strong leadership skills and the ability to work within changing situations to meet short deadlines.

Why Y-12?

You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Y-12, you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.

Notes

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.
Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.
CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.
Technical Staff Member (Chemist)
Y12 -
Oak Ridge, TN

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$70,204 to $90,183
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