Trace Isotope Geochemical Analyst

** Overview*
* 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 National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.

The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.

** Responsibilities*
* The Analytical Chemistry & Instrumentation Group conducts fundamental and applied research resulting in new capabilities in trace element and radionuclide detection, environmental assessment and remediation, treaty verification, and proliferation detection and prevention. The group applies a broad range of instrument and method development knowledge, specialized chemical separation methods, and advanced spectrometric technologies in support of national security clients. Staff are typically involved in multiple projects, which enables each person to contribute to basic science studies as well as the applied missions of the Group.

Staff use highly developed processes, specialized methods, and state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation to perform work that spans the spectrum of basic science to applied analytical services. Research areas include radiochemistry, nuclear materials chemistry and analysis, instrument development, and nuclear and materials signatures. Much of the analytical services work that is performed requires measuring radionuclides at trace levels.

PNNL is seeking a qualified earth scientist with isotope geochemistry and mass spectrometry expertise to participate in a wide variety of research and development efforts involving analytical chemistry for characterization, and quantitative and forensic analysis of nuclear material in environmental matrices using a variety of heavy isotope mass spectrometry methods. The incumbent should have a growing record of independent contributions to research programs and possess the ability to interact with dynamic, multi-disciplinary teams.

This position will include both experimental and theoretical studies, with applications including national and homeland security, nuclear nonproliferation, and nuclear material detection and characterization. Both independently and in collaboration with project teams, the position will support a range of US government and private clients. The research group seeking to fill this position supports a number of critical national security missions along with missions relating to environmental monitoring, medical isotope production, next-generation nuclear fuel cycles, and international nuclear safeguards and treaty monitoring.

Projects within the research group range from highly applied projects in support of the U.S. Government to fundamental projects in the areas of nuclear science and novel technology exploration.

Responsibilities include sample prep and characterization using a wide variety of isotope mass spectrometry techniques, along with work planning, data analysis, report writing, and presenting results/participation in routine sponsor meetings and working group discussions. Experience working with chemicals in a trace chemical laboratory setting is required. Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work both with minimal supervision and within teams are required.

Incumbent must have excellent attention to detail and demonstrated ability for meticulous, reproducible work and documentation. Experience working in clean rooms, with radioactive materials, trace or micro chemistry techniques, chemical separations, and mass spectrometry is desired.

Experience with quantitative and instrumental analysis, isotope ratio, or geochronometric techniques is also desired.

** Qualifications*
* Minimum Qualifications:

+ BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience
-OR
- + MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience
-OR
- + PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

+ 10+ years' experience with isotope geochemistry, heavy isotope mass spectrometry, and radio chemical sample processing.

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