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. 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, and dynamic mechanical testing. Your day-to-day work will focus on small‑scale sample preparation or metallographic analyses, operating and maintaining scientific research equipment, executing experiments, and other activities supporting MST-15 programs.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Aptitude for hands‑on work with laboratory equipment and tools
• Strong fine‑motor skills.
• Ability to quickly learn new skills/techniques and adapt to changing environments.
• Ability to work within a team to achieve common goals.
• Ability to follow instructions, procedures, plans and Laboratory requirements.
• Basic knowledge of and experience with computer systems and applications.
• Ability and willingness to follow safety and security procedures.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Q clearance and Human Reliability Program certification.

Position requires a High School diploma and a minimum of 3 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

• Experience working with measurement equipment (multimeters, micrometers/calipers, balances, transducers, thermometers, etc.).
• Experience working with vacuum, gas, and pressure systems in a research environment.
• Experience in supporting scientific experiments using analytical or research equipment.
• Experience with machining, tool development, or custom part design using drafting software.
• Experience working in glove boxes.
• Experience with handling of small samples.
• Experience in the safe handling of toxic/radioactive/reactive materials.

Peripheral vision, depth perception, reading vision and distance vision (corrected), ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 Hertz), standing, walking, and lifting 20-30 pounds.

Work near sources of ionizing radiation, work with explosives, use of PPE including a respirator.

The work location for this position is onsite and located in 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. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

A current CV or resume with at least 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 contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People’s Republic of China (including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau), citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation who are not Lawful Permanent Residents are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission of national‑security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Clearance: Q. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances.

Human Reliability Program (HRP). This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability…