Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory Technical Specialist

Requisition

Overview:

The Nuclear and Radiological Protection Division (NRPD) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a Technical Specialist for the Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory within the Nuclear Measurements and Analytical Services (NMAS) Group.

ORNL is a world leader in advanced science and technology research involving several nonreactor nuclear facilities, accelerators, and the High Flux Isotope Reactor which involve a complex range of internal and external radiological hazards that are managed to protect more than 3,000 researchers and operations staff involved in the Nuclear Research and Isotope Production Mission. The Radioanalytical Services Team is responsible for maintaining Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP) accreditation for the in vitro radiobioassay analytical program and providing specialty measurement capabilities as an essential part of the ORNL Radiological Protection Program.

The primary focus of this position is to provide technical direction for the Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory for the purpose of providing accurate, prompt, and high-quality analytical results for radiobioassay in vitro analyses that are necessary for occupational radiological internal dose assessment.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

The Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory Technical Specialist position requires a solid understanding of safe work practices for radiochemistry and low-level radiation detection/counting principles. The Technical Specialist serves as the subject matter expert and provides day-to-day direction of all Counting Laboratory operations. The position is responsible for providing technical and quality assurance support to ensure that all counting instrumentation is maintained, calibrated, upgraded as necessary, etc.

Instrumentation includes alpha analyst system (over 100 chambers/detectors), low background gas flow proportional counters, liquid scintillation counters, and gamma spectroscopy system.

Specific responsibilities may include:

* Maintain calibration and performance of all Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory instrumentation.

* Investigate/troubleshoot instrument performance issues and equipment failures.

* Maintain Counting Laboratory operations, processes, and procedures to ensure compliance with DOELAP requirements.

* Perform routine counting operations when needed for samples submitted to the Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory.

* Review/approve sample measurement data and interface with Radioanalytical Services staff to resolve issues.

* Develop and manage software utilities for automating data calculations, instrument interfaces, and data exchanges.

* Integrate data with the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) used for in vitro operations.

* Periodically author, review, and/or update operating procedures and technical basis documentation to meet ORNL and group quality assurance requirements.

* Review and monitor quality control data. Document performance measurements in quality assurance summaries for the in vitro radiobioassay analytical program.

* Implement upgrades to Counting Laboratory instrumentation and processes, including the development of system configurations, calculations, workbooks, data exchange methods, operating procedures, performance validation & verification, etc.

* Coordinate records generation, handling, and disposition.

Basic Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in health physics, nuclear engineering, physics, chemistry, or related technical field with at least 5 years of experience in a radio analytical counting laboratory; or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

* In-depth knowledge of nuclear counting concepts and methods, including alpha spectrometry, gas flow proportional counting, liquid scintillation counting, and gamma spectrometry.

* Experience with Microsoft Windows software systems; including Visual Basic for Applications, etc.

* Critical thinking ability to facilitate problem-solving and troubleshooting; must be able to undertake and quickly resolve problems while maintaining composure and situational control.

* Excellent organizational and work planning skills, able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, comfortable working in a hands-on laboratory setting.

* Strong interpersonal skills that foster positive interaction and teamwork with laboratory staff and management.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Advanced degree in technical science discipline with a concentration in nuclear measurements with 5 or more years of experience.

* Experience with standard programming and/or scripting languages, such as Python, Power Shell, FORTRAN etc., especially in a mixed operating system environment; such as Windows, OpenVMS, Unix, etc.

* Advanced computing skills; including data reduction, analysis, and presentation.

* Hands-on experience with configuring and using alpha spectrometry, gamma spectrometry, and/or alpha/beta counting systems and associated software.

* Experience with relational…