Tritium Analytical Scientist; Scientist

Position: Tritium Analytical Scientist (Scientist 3)
** What You Will Do*
* ** This position is open for external candidates only to apply.*
* The Gas Transfer Systems Group (Q-7) is responsible for design, development, production liaison, surveillance, and stewardship of all gas transfer systems (GTS) for LANL nuclear packages in the US nuclear weapon stockpile. While supporting the enduring stockpile, the group also supports the research and development of next generation GTS technology in support of future weapon systems. Emphasis is on the delivery of programmatic objectives via excellence in personnel safety, security, compliance, and programmatic hardware reliability and availability.

The group is the programmatic tenant in two R&D facilities at LANL:
The Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF), and a high-pressure gas transfer system radiological laboratory. At WETF, the group has a diverse array of responsibilities including tritium storage and recycling technologies, legacy item recycling and disposal, high pressure tritium operations, and GTS function testing. The team maintains calorimetry and gas mass spectrometric capabilities that support tritium accountability and the GTS development program as well as other programs across LANL.

At the high pressure radiological laboratory, the team supports design agency (DA) and production agency (PA) missions for all LANL weapon systems, including valve and actuator surveillance for both LANL and SNL systems. The lab is a highly active hands-on lab, specializing in gas pressure systems and related diagnostics. Supporting equipment includes glove boxes, fume hoods, high pressure compressors, lathes, mills, wire EDMs, thermal chambers, etc.

The accepted candidate will provide scientific expertise within the group and for general LANL customers, and will work with the team to assist in fulfillment of gas transfer mission objectives as listed above and as deemed necessary.

The successful candidate will be required to:

+ Develop technical expertise and knowledge of gas transfer system technology, tritium science, and technologies related to these research and development efforts.

+ Develop new methods, techniques, capabilities, or approaches to address critical technical problems.

+ Solve a diverse range of complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity.

+ Coordinate with personnel to solve instrument maintenance and pressure safety issues.

+ Provide oversight of one or more technical projects within a team environment.

+ Collaborate with members of the team to solve multidisciplinary problems.

+ Develop, review, and execute technical procedures.

+ Adhere to scientific policies, programs, procedures, and practices.

+ Adhere to the requirements for working in facilities with radioactive hazards, including a Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.

+ Represent the Laboratory to external agencies in defined capacities as necessary.

This posting is under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Engineering (ALDW).

** What You Need*
* ** Minimum

Job Requirements:

*
* ** Experimental Research Experience*
* Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and familiarity with instrumentation and experimentation techniques. Familiarity with pressure and vacuum systems and associated measurement techniques.  Demonstrated abilities in data acquisition and analysis.  Solid knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics concepts.  Experience in mass spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, or related technologies.

** Communication and Teamwork*
* Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of internal personnel and customers. Demonstrated ability to network effectively with other scientists, engineers, and key contacts outside own area of expertise. Ability to express ideas clearly in ways that build understanding, respect, and trust, as demonstrated through presentations, reports, and publications.  Ability to mentor junior staff members and students.

** Project Management*
* Ability to develop and implement project management plans, including scope, schedule, and budget, for small to moderate projects and/or major project tasks. Ability to define…