Geologist

As part of our mission to advance nuclear energy and critical infrastructure innovation at INL, this role directly supports the-safe, secure, and sustainable use of nuclear technologies. Your expertise in geologic assessments will play a crucial part in safeguarding cutting‑edge energy systems and vital infrastructure, ensuring our nation's leadership in energy security and technological advancement. By protecting and enhancing these systems, you'll contribute to groundbreaking research that shapes the future of nuclear power nodes and beyond.

Your work will directly align with INL's legacy of pioneering discoveries, helping us overcome complex challenges with ingenuity and precision.

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Geologist to work in our Geothermal Energy and Subsurface Systems group. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off.

We are seeking an early to mid‑career economic geologist to join our team in the Geothermal Energy and Subsurface Systems group. In this role you will be contributing to subsurface research programs focused on geothermal energy development, critical minerals recovery, and subsurface energy storage. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop research proposals, lead research programs, conduct field sampling campaigns, and execute laboratory analyses.

Excellent problem‑solving skills and a commitment to advancing subsurface science are essential for this role.

• Lead the design, planning, and execution of ore deposit related research focusing on critical minerals and other economic/energy minerals.
• Integrate and analyze data from research experiments, field observations, scientific literature, and numerical models.
• Collaborate with and lead other researchers on field work campaigns for testing, measurement, and sampling.
• Collaborate with other researchers to develop and implement new experimental protocols and techniques.
• Collaborate with and lead other researchers in writing grant proposals for external funding opportunities.
• Publish research in peer‑reviewed scientific journals and present findings at conferences and workshops.

• MS + 2 years of relevant experience or PhD + 2 years of relevant experience in ore deposit geology/geochemistry or similar field
• Familiarity or experience with mineral deposits and mining challenges
• Experience employing geochemical modeling codes - e.g., Geochemists Workbench, TOUGH, MOOSE, etc.
• Good written communication skills in English as evidenced by peer‑reviewed publications and conference presentations

• Hands‑on experience collecting rock/fluid/gas field samples
• Experience designing and implementing field‑scale geoscience research projects
• Experience with ore comminution processes
• Experience with ore beneficiation methods
• Strong publication record in high impact journals
• Experience writing competitive research proposals

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. Field work includes working in remote locations within radioactive boundary areas (RBA), and overnight travel for extended field work. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms.

The job requires operation of job‑related equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The pay range for this position is ($95,256 - $195,288). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self‑contribute…