Materials Research Technicians; Research Tec

What You Will Do

The Plutonium Microstructure and Mechanics Group (MST-15) is seeking Research Technicians to support plutonium and other actinide materials science research. Depending on your skills, the position will be filled at either the Research Tec 3 or 4 level, with additional responsibilities added for the higher level. In this role you will provide support in one or more of the following areas:

• Metallography
• Electron microscopy
• Materials characterization
• Materials synthesis and processing
• Materials properties measurements
• Dynamic mechanical testing

Your day‑to‑day work will focus on small‑scale sample preparation, operating and maintaining equipment, executing experiments, and other activities supporting MST‑15 programs. Attention to detail and the ability to learn established procedures are essential for performing complex work in this unique environment with national security impact.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Hands‑on experience with hand and power tools.
• Experience completing assigned tasks thoroughly to completion, with high attention to detail and limited supervision.
• Experience learning new skills/techniques and adapting to changing work scopes.
• Experience working well in a team environment and interacting effectively with peers and management.
• Experience following written and verbal instructions, procedures, plans, and laboratory requirements, and maintaining required training.
• Basic knowledge of computer systems and associated applications.
• Ability and willingness to follow safety and security procedures.
• Ability to obtain Q‑clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain Human Reliability Program certification.

In addition to the lower level requirements, candidates must also:

• Have knowledge or experience related to metallography, electron microscopy, materials characterization, materials processing, properties measurements, mechanical and dynamic testing, or maintenance of scientific equipment.
• Be able to work independently, make decisions, and initiate work.
• Be able to perform non‑routine tasks, exercising independent judgment.

Research Tec 3:
Associate’s Degree and 3 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Research Tec 4:
Associate’s Degree and 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

• Experience operating analytical equipment and obtaining data.
• Experience operating machining equipment and/or custom design using software.
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting vacuum, gas, and pressure systems in a research environment.
• Experience performing or supporting scientific experiments.
• Experience handling, preparing, and analyzing small samples for metallography, electron microscopy, materials characterization, materials processing and properties measurements, or mechanical and dynamic testing.
• Nuclear or radiological facility experience and performing routine glove box activities with radioactive materials.

• Peripheral vision, depth perception, reading vision and distance vision (corrected), ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 Hz).
• Standing, walking, and lifting 20–30 pounds.

Work near sources of ionizing radiation; work with explosives; use of personal protective equipment including a respirator.

Onsite at Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

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. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

A current CV or resume with educational background, work experience, and degree dates is required. Degrees in a STEM field beyond the minimum requirement count toward years of related experience. References will not be contacted without applicant permission.

Due to federal restrictions, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, Hong…