Mass Spectrometry Scientist

What You Will Do

The Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC) Group within the Chemistry Division is looking for a Scientist to join the Mass Spectrometry team. The position serves the Laboratory's core national security mission areas of weapons science and threat reduction.

The successful applicant will be expected to participate in sample preparations, separations, and data analysis using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) instruments on actinide elements specifically plutonium, uranium, and americium materials. The selected applicant will be expected to work on data reduction, reporting, troubleshooting and procedure writing.

Due to the on‑job training (OJT) requirements for this position, the selected applicant will be expected to complete the required training to become a glovebox operator. Occasionally the position will require the applicant to apply scientific principles to address technical problems, develop novel techniques or principles, and analyze data or outcomes from theoretical or experimental research in the area of TIMS and ICPMS.

The Scientist 3 level will be recognized as a technical expert in actinide measurements using TIMS/ICPMS instrumentation.

This position may be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3 level, depending on the candidate's skills. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Salary: $104,100‑$172,200

• Contributes to improvement of the QA/QC posture of the TIMS task area through development of analytical methods with better accuracy and precision.
• Works unsupervised on TIMS/ICPMS multi‑collector instruments supporting individual projects and/or contributes to larger team efforts. Makes scientific judgments that affect project direction but often seeks feedback or receives review. May contribute to milestones and objective of multiple projects.
• Develops new methods, techniques, or approaches to address critical technical problems in high‑fidelity measurements of plutonium, uranium, and/or americium using multi‑collector TIMS/ICPMS instrumentation. Communicates results through appropriate channels.
• Contributes to measurement of routine samples for various customers and to the improvement of the analytical processes to facilitate faster turn‑around of results.
• Mentors junior staff and peers in technical and professional growth. May mentor students and/or post‑docs. Trains junior staff on operation of TIMS/ICPMS instruments and in the preparation/separation of actinide elements for measurements using these instruments.
• Maintains state‑of‑the‑art technical expertise and knowledge within mass spectrometry task‑area and develops new skills in related disciplines. Performs peer review within own organization/discipline.
• Effective communications both oral and written with various collaborating teams.
• Work in a team environment with collaborative methods and interfaces.
• Manage time effectively with changing priorities.

Salary: $125,200‑$211,300

• Develops technical approaches, using creativity in applying standard practices and procedures, and leads technical decisions, including selections of technical alternatives, for assigned work.
• Evaluates instrumental data for uncertainty and in the evaluation/interpretation of TIMS/ICPMS analytical data.
• Troubleshoots TIMS/ICPMS instruments based on data from traceable standards collected as part of routine measurements.
• Contributes to the development of journal papers and technical reports.
• Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives and may contribute to the development of technical standards.
• May attain additional certifications, qualifications, and/or professional recognitions.
• Maintains/improves/streamlines work execution in collaboration with others on the team.

• Significant knowledge of analytical chemistry and/or mass spectrometry techniques acquired by experience, certification and/or formal education.
• Significant knowledge and experience in operation and/or troubleshooting of…