What You Will Do

The Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering Group (C-CDE) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated persons for the position of Chemistry Research Technician 4/5. C-CDE is an applied technology organization focused on resolving national security-related issues in stockpile manufacturing and support, surveillance, applied and basic energy sciences, threat reduction, and the environment. The group's core approach involves the integrated development and application of technologies in Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, and Chemical Engineering. C-CDE engages in areas important to Laboratory missions, including material characterization and development and environmental mitigation. The highly interdisciplinary nature of these activities requires scientists and engineers who can seamlessly operate across academic disciplines. The successful applicant will work both collaboratively and independently on C-CDE projects, and with the Chemical Certification and Compatibility Laboratory (C3Lab).

• Become proficient in the operation and upkeep of multiple analytical instruments.

• Conduct chemical characterization studies and measure chemical properties of materials.

• Conduct material compatibility and contamination cleaning studies.

• Contribute to data analysis and interpretation for materials characterization studies.

• Assist in method development and analysis of new samples resulting in concise standard operating procedures.

• Adhere to quality standards in your work.

• Provide timely and high-quality data reports.

• Independently develop standard operating procedures, written test methods, and analytical reports.

This position will be filled at either the Research Technician 4 or Research Technician 5 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

What You Need

Minimum Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience with several of the following analytical techniques: FTIR, GC- MS, XRF, XRD, ICP-MS/OES, UV-vis, elemental analysis, titrators, quantitative and qualitative assays.

• Demonstrated experience with hands-on sample preparation and sample analysis resulting in reports or published manuscripts.

• Experience with data analysis software tools such as Origin and Microsoft Office products.

• Strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to interact effectively with staff, technical, and facility personnel.

• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and to work efficiently under pressure in a changing environment, independently, and to plan and complete work within deadlines and according to verbal and written instructions.

• Meticulous attention to detail, dependability, and excellent organizational skills.

• Ability to obtain DOE Q clearance (usually requires U.S. citizenship).

In addition, the Research Technician 5 requirements:

• Demonstrated experience and comfort with hands-on calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of instrumentation identified above.

• Demonstrated experience in organizing, processing, analyzing, presenting, and reporting large and complex data sets.

• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and repairing analytical instrumentation

• Demonstrated experience mentoring or leading a small group of other technical employees.

Education/Experience at Level 4 : Position requires an Associate's degree in a relevant field and 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Education/Experience at Level 5: Position requires an Associate's degree in a relevant field and 7 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated analytical chemistry experience within a Quality Controlled / Quality Assurance framework.

• Quality control chemist with experience in evaluating samples for compliance to standards and specification requirements.

• Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Notes to Applicants: When applying, candidate must attach a resume and cover letter or they will not be considered for employment. Cover letters are most effective when they clearly indicate how you meet the job requirements and highlight your most noteworthy accomplishments. Your cover letter should also explain how you have demonstrated the application of desired skills in your previous academic and work experiences. While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grown into the full salary band over time.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

• Dental and vision insurance

• Free basic life and disability insurance

• Paid maternity and parental leave

• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO)

• Onsite gyms and wellness programs

• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.