Trace Radiochemical Processing Technician

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.

This position is for an experienced technician to provide laboratory and operational support for radio chemical sample preparation activities within trace environmental analysis labs in the Analytical Chemistry and Instrumentation (ACAI) group. The position requires strong attention to detail, adherence to procedures, and the ability to perform work independently while maintaining high standards for cleanliness, organization, and safety. This position is specifically focused on laboratory operations, sample preparation, wet chemical processing, bulk radio chemical sample processing operations and support, and contamination‑control activities.

The research group seeking to fill this position supports a number of critical national security missions along with missions relating to environmental monitoring, isotope production, next‑generation nuclear fuel cycles, and international nuclear safeguards and treaty monitoring. Projects within the research group range from highly applied projects in support of the U.S. Government to fundamental projects in the areas of nuclear science and novel technology exploration.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED and 4 years of relevant experience—or
• Technical Institute Graduate (TIG)/relevant AA degree or higher and 2 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Maintain lab readiness, including leaning/contamination control, glassware leaching, waste handling, supply organization, and custom labware fabrication.
• Support daily operations by ordering/tracking chemicals and consumables and escorting visitors/vendors/craft personnel per lab requirements.
• Perform routine, high‑throughput sample prep and wet chemistry (e.g., muffling, dissolution, purification) following detailed procedures with strong…