Group Leader-REDC Laboratory Chemical Operations

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a senior technical leader for our world class radioisotope production program. Supporting the largest radioisotope production and research portfolio within the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science for Isotope R&D and Production, this position will grant you the opportunity to produce life-saving medical radioisotopes and work with rare nuclear materials within the nuclear facilities in the Melton Valley area of the ORNL campus.

The Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC) Laboratory Chemical Operations (LCO) group resides within the Isotope Processing and Manufacturing Division (IPMD) D is focused on the reliable delivery of radioisotope products to reach quality standards. This work is performed within the unique facilities at ORNL, including the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), and several radiological and nuclear facilities throughout the ORNL campus containing shielded hot cells and glove boxes.

The primary isotope manufactured within the REDC LCO group is actinium-225 (Ac-225), an alpha emitting isotope deployed in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Other isotopes processed in the group include heavy actinides berkelium, einsteinium, and fermium, used for research in nuclear physics and heavy element chemistry, and a variety of high purity actinides which are purified and dispensed from legacy sources.

In this role, you will work with a multifunctional team to improve and maintain our production processes to ensure ORNL successfully meets our mission to supply critical nuclear materials for science, medicine, and industry.

• The group leader is responsible for leading and managing a team of engineers and technicians to produce radioisotopes within a nuclear facility.
• Lead a team of 6-10 technicians and engineers to meet radioisotope production requirements.
• Meet cost, schedule, and performance metrics.
• Work with the manufacturing coordinator for thorium-229 derived Ac-225, to execute the routine processing of Ac-225 to the quality standards of the Drug Master File.
• Support the Production Medical Isotope Program Manager in overseeing the legacy material inventory and dispensing portfolio.
• Work with project management and controls to maintain the resource‑loaded schedule.
• Manage program management requests for new dispensing or material processing.
• Maintain procedures for routine processing.
• Maintain detailed records relating to nuclear materials processing.
• Ensure all work is completed in compliance with nuclear facility operations requirements.
• Support research and development groups in translating developmental work into robust manufacturing processes.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and optimization.
• Develop and execute on‑the‑job training programs for processing teams.
• Provide mentoring and career guidance to early career staff.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or similar field, and a minimum of eight years of related experience is required. A comparable combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience with chemical processing techniques such as solvent extraction and ion exchange.
• Experience reading radio analytical data such as gamma, alpha, and mass spectroscopy.
• Experience developing schedules and work plans for complex projects.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

• Experien…