Materials Characterization Laboratory Technical Professional

Requisition  Overview:

We are seeking a Materials Characterization Laboratory Technical Professional in the Applied Materials Analysis Group in the Materials Characterization Section, of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division, part of the National Security Sciences Directorate Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This role is responsible for managing the lab spaces through ensuring highly specialized equipment is maintained at maximum operability time, including coordination of vendor support and appropriate downtime to reduce impact to research.

In addition, this role will manage the documentation and inventory system for the laboratory as well as be the key point of contact for all day to day operations within the lab space. This role also has the availability to support R&D activities as this role will become a SME in the functionality of several specialized instruments. It will become expected that as this role develops, the candidate will begin participation in experimental activities such as setup, sample preparation, routine measurements, and recording data.

This position supports a large, shared laboratory space used by physicists, uranium chemists, and materials scientists. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills to multiple levels of staff so that across these disciplines as well as communication with support staff of facilities, radiological controls, and other environmental, health, and safety personnel.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Maintain operational readiness, including organized space with ready to use instruments of a shared interdisciplinary laboratory

Manage laboratory inventory, including chemicals, consumables, gases, sample supplies, spare parts, and radioactive materials in compliance with DOE requirements

Manage and organize incoming research materials and samples

Maintain equipment logs, maintenance records, standard operating procedures, and other laboratory documentation

Support compliance with SOPs, ES&H processes, chemical hazard tracking, and laboratory safety requirements

Assist with proper waste handling and hazardous material management in accordance with internal procedures

Assist scientists with experimental setup, sample preparation, routine measurements, and recording data Prepare materials, reagents, and equipment for ongoing research efforts

Record and organize experimental data and observations accurately

Provide technical support across multiple scientific disciplines

Contribute to technical reports, journal articles, and presentations as needs arise

Troubleshoot routine laboratory and instrumentation issues independently and escalate more complex problems when needed

Basic Qualifications:

A BS degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, geochemistry/geoscience, or another instrumentation-intensive scientific discipline1-2 years of experience active participation in a laboratory in academic research or similar technical environment

Familiarity with complex scientific instrumentation and general laboratory operations

Experience following standard operating procedures and laboratory safety practices

Ability to manage shifting priorities in a dynamic research environment

Preferred Qualifications:

A MS degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Experience working in a shared or interdisciplinary laboratory

Experience with inventory management, purchasing, and vendor/service coordination

Experience maintaining laboratory records, safety documentation, and chemical hazard tracking systems

Exposure to advanced analytical or materials characterization instrumentation

Experience with handling radiological materials or relevant radiological worker training

Ability to work independently on routine troubleshooting and day-to-day laboratory support tasks

Proactive and willing to take ownership of laboratory needs

Organized, dependable, and detail-oriented

Strong team-oriented work ethic able to jump in and help the team accomplish collective goals

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Experience with or exposure to one or more of the following is highly desirable: SEM/EDS, Raman spectroscopy, PPMS, GC-MS, evolved gas analysis, pyrolysis techniques, X-ray diffraction, Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, Atomic force microscopy, Radiological materials handling

Special Requirements :
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the…