Overview

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.

PNNL is a multi-program laboratory operated by Battelle for the US DOE. The Nuclear Sciences Division within the Energy and Environment Directorate at PNNL is currently seeking an outstanding chemist to join its Radiological Materials (RM) group as a Scientist/Engineer 1 (SE1). The RM group supports legacy waste cleanup efforts on the Hanford Site, Washington. To ensure final immobilization of radionuclides in glass and grout waste forms, RM group staff design the materials composition, produces waste forms for material property and chemical durability evaluation, and uses to data to build predictive models to inform waste processing and long-term performance. The researcher will work with scientists to execute analytical measurements, develop chemical characterization methods, design and set up experimental systems and operate both analytical and research equipment within the Quality Assurance (QA) requirements requested for the work performed. The tasks will be varied but will include method development to develop in-house ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy) analysis capabilities for liquid and solid samples. An exceptional candidate would have past experience with this capability in a production or analytical services setting and with Quality Assurance.

Responsibilities

Conducts research of organic or inorganic substances. Analyzes and tests new or existing materials to identify their properties and characteristics for the development or improvement of new or existing products. Studies the relationship between chemical and physical properties.

May specialize in:

• Analytical Chemistry: Performs qualitative and quantitative analyses of organic compounds, inorganic compounds, or biologics to determine the chemical composition and/or physical properties by verifying their identity, purity, and homogeneity.

• Biochemistry: Studies the chemical structures, processes, and composition of living organisms and performs studies of chemical reactions for processes involved in all basic life functions.

• Geochemistry: Studies the composition, structure, processes, and other physical aspects of the Earth.

• Inorganic Chemistry: Investigates the properties and behaviors of inorganic compounds and materials, which include metals, metal oxides and complexes, both natural and synthetic, as well as main group and organometallic compounds.

• Nuclear Chemistry: Studies reactions that take place inside the nucleus of atoms, such as fission and fusion processes including the production of radionuclides, or studies the effects of ionizing radiation on materials, living organisms, and the environment.

• Radiochemistry: Develops and/or applies chemical techniques to study naturally occurring and manmade radionuclides and employs chemical concepts for processing irradiated materials. Applies chemical techniques involving radiotracers to investigate chemical, biochemical, or biomedical questions.

• Organic Chemistry: Studies the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-containing compounds, which may also include hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, halogens, phosphorus, silicon, and sulfur.

• Physical/Chemistry: Studies how matter behaves at both the molecular and atomic level, how chemical reactions occur, and develop new theories such as how complex structures are formed.

We are seeking an individual who is versatile, motivated and a self-starter who can work in a highly dynamic team environment. The successful candidate must have excellent communication skills, strong laboratory skills, and be able to rapidly learn new laboratory skills. The position requires a highly responsible individual with extreme attention to detail that will be able to function independently with limited supervision and effectively manage conflicting priorities and develop solutions to problems.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to work in a chemical laboratory, research experience preferred.

• The candidate must have experience with utilizing Microsoft Office, including Excel software for data analysis and interpretation.

• The candidate must have a solid foundation in the theory and interpretation of benchtop and instrumental analytical methods such as solution based quantitative chemical analysis, ICP-OES, optical spectroscopy, ion chromatography.

• The candidate must be familiar with analytical method development and statistical methods for data processing.

As a PNNL SE1, general responsibilities include:

• Mentoring and overseeing technical work by technicians and interns.

• Adhering to strict quality, security, and safety requirements.

This position will be expected to work with non-sensitive and sensitive information as appropriate for individual projects and the incumbent should demonstrate an ability to manage sensitive business situations. Key attributes leading to the determination of upward progression in this career family include technical leadership, organizational leadership, project execution, and technical impact.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA or higher

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1 to 2 years of experience with ICP-OES in a production or analytical services setting.

• Graduate degree in Analytical Chemistry.

• Experience with digestion and analysis by ICP-OES of oxide mineral samples.

• Experience working under Quality Assurance programs, such as NQA-1 (Nuclear Quality Assurance).

• Completed an ACS (American Chemical Society) certified degree program or will have completed at least 8 semesters of hands-on laboratory courses.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• Potential exposure to hazardous chemicals; potential exposure to controlled levels of ionizing radiation.

• Some of the work related to this project is currently performed in radiological posted spaces, requiring the candidate to complete Radiological Worker Training.

Additional Information

Not applicable.

Testing Designated Position

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

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

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.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), 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 .

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

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.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO)risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, 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 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

• Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $78,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $104,800.00/Yr.