Post Doctorate RA - Nuclear Material Processing

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.

Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex – from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation’s borders, and protect critical infrastructures.

PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities – rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools – are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security.

Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.

The Nuclear Material Processing group within PNNL is seeking a sol‑gel subject matter expert. In addition to fundamental chemistry and materials expertise, a successful candidate will have specialized knowledge in applying that expertise to nuclear technologies such as fuels for advanced radioisotope and fission power systems. The candidate will be part of the Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Division, whose mission includes the science, technology development, and operational expertise to neutralize emerging national security threats.

• Provide expertise in core technical topics with strong analytical thinking and excellent verbal communication skills related to topics such as sol‑gel R&D experiments. The candidate should be able to perform hands‑on work with surrogate and radioactive materials to produce and characterize samples.
• Work on complex topics where analysis of unique situations and data requires an in‑depth evaluation and assessment of a variety of dynamic factors. Exercise judgement in selecting strategy approaches, methods, techniques, and criteria that will generate the optimum solution and results.
• Contribute to technical white papers, design drawings, technical documentation, invention reports and journal articles describing related technological advances in assigned areas of expertise.
• Maintain an understanding and knowledge of key project issues and initiatives that will allow for proposing improvements and expanding the project portfolio.
• Maintain effective working relationships with other research staff, project managers, and stakeholders. Develop positive influence across project interest groups and external organizations and partners to move engineering concepts forward to viable solutions.
• Maintain interactions with and facilitate…