Post Doctorate RA - Isotope Geochemist​/Mass Spectrometrist

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.

The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.

The Radiochemistry Group is seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong ethic of service to the scientific community and a commitment to both scientific excellence and national impact on critical scientific and technical problems.

This opening is to support the goals of the Environmental Signatures Team, which broadly encompasses impacts from anthropogenic processes (including investigations of contaminant fate and transport), critical minerals/economic geology, and National Security applications such as nuclear safeguards.

The Post Doctorate RA should have significant, hands-on experience in TIMS (P-TIMS and/or N-TIMS). MC-ICP-MS, or ICP-MS. Pertinent additional experience would include actinide and/or lanthanide analyses, PGE isotope ratio measurements, measurements of the isotopic variations of the transition elements, and noble gas mass spectrometry. Experience working with multiple isotope systems is preferred. Additional skills that would be of value include clean lab work, design or modifications of ion emitter or ion detection systems, separations work using ion or solvent exchange, or distillation, and development of laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS) or LA-LIBS methods.

The incumbent must have experience working in a wet-chemistry laboratory around potentially hazardous acids, bases, and materials. Candidates are expected to be proficient with standard office software, such as Microsoft Excel and Word. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are also required and must be demonstrated via a strong publication record in peer reviewed journals.

The successful candidate will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and will have access to state-of-the-art research equipment within several laboratories at PNNL, including a suite of seven multicollection mass spectrometers and associated supporting analytical instruments and facilities. Applicants must be willing to learn and employ safe techniques for handling hazardous materials. Candidates must be able to work with colleagues in a dynamic laboratory environment on the implementation of experimental procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Geochemistry, Isotope Geology, Analytical or Nuclear Chemistry, or a related field.
• Advanced level of knowledge and direct working experience on thermal ionization mass spectrometer or multi-collector ICP-MS instruments, including method development.
• Strong written and oral communication skills as evidenced by scientific publication and conference presentations within the past five years.
• The ideal candidate is a well-organized, self-starter, with a high capacity for attention to detail. Time management skills are essential to balance activities among several concurrently operating projects.

This position involves laboratory work with hazardous chemicals (acids, bases, etc.) and trace levels of radionuclides.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation:
  Applicants selected will be subject to a…