Technical Staff Member - Isotope Production Analytical Chemist Transuranium Analytical Laboratory

Overview

We are seeking a Technical Staff Member who will serve as a Technical Lead focusing on the TAL’s performance of a full range of radio chemical analyses, including sample preparations and chemical separations, for our nuclear and isotope programs. This position resides in the Transuranium Analytical Laboratory (TAL) group in the Nuclear Analytical Chemistry (NAC) section in the Chemical Sciences Division (CSD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As part of our research team, you will support advanced radio chemical operations for the analyses range of isotopic characterizations on samples which contain radiological constituents from environmental levels to high levels of radioactivity. You will perform, and oversee others performing, detailed sample preparations, radio chemical separations and measurement protocols and assist in the development of novel separation and measurement protocols for complex nuclear matrices.

Your work will support ORNL scientific staff conducting research and chemical operations associated with the production and purification of radioisotopes and R&D for nuclear fuels.

• Serve as Technical Lead on the radio chemical analysis of high activity samples and high-level nuclear operations conducted at the TAL in support of isotope production campaigns at REDC.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior technical professionals and technicians performing sample preparations and chemical separations for radio chemical determinations of nuclear materials.
• Work independently, and supervise junior TP’s and TN’s, in performing established laboratory procedures for titrations, dissolutions, dilutions and separations of high activity samples in preparation for analytical determinations.
• Lead detailed analytical operations in alpha glove boxes and shielded hot cells including serving as the SME / Lead on all high-risk respirator glovebox bagging operations at the TAL.
• Serve as the Alternate MBAR, Alternate RMIS Custodian, HMIS Custodian, and/or Analytical Hot Cell Custodian.
• Independently, and supervise junior TP’s and TN’s, operating radiochemistry analytical instrumentation, including NMC and Protean gas flow proportional counters, Canberra 4100/4200 gas flow proportional counters, Perkin Elmer 5110R liquid scintillation counter, BF3 neutron detector, and Windows based alpha and gamma ray spectrometry system (Canberra Genie-2K/ORTEC Alpha vision & Gamma vision) utilizing HPGe and Silicon Surface Barrier detectors.
• Independently perform laboratory tests as needed to assist in developing, modifying, and refining operational and/or experimental procedures as well as authoring updates or new procedures based on result of the tests.
• Lead and participate in planning workflow for the laboratory, including establishing priorities within and between projects, and determining the best direction of the laboratory efforts for various experiments, tests, and analysis.
• Collaborate in the development of new analytical methodologies and analytical instrumentation. Presentation of developed work at appropriate professional conferences or in peer reviewed journals.
• Obtain and maintain all ORNL training requirements for a radiation worker performing analytical work in designated radiological facilities.
• Utilize Windows based personal computers, instrumentation operation, data reporting, analytical calculations, and sample management.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
• 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 chemistry, biology, environmental science, engineering, or related discipline
• 5-7 years of relevant experience in a science discipline required
• 3-5 years of experience utilizing high level nuclear operations protocols and completing high activity…