Post Doctorate RA - Nuclear Signatures

Overview

At PNNL,our core capabilities are dividedamongmajor departments that werefer to as Directorates within the Lab,focused on a specific area of scientific research orother function, with its own leadership teamand dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technologydirectoratesinclude National Security,Earthand Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment.

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 Nuclear Signatures Group seeks a postdoctoral scientist to support nuclear non-proliferation research. The group focuses on nuclear explosion monitoring, safeguards, emergency response, and arms control, with an emphasis on radiation detection. In addition, space security is an emerging area for the group. Candidates should have hands-on experience in radiation detection and strong data analysis skills. Responsibilities include operating detectors and sample systems, hardware and software development, data analysis, interpreting measurements, manuscript preparation, and presenting research.

The candidate must be able to conduct independent research and work well in a team.

• Conducts research and development activities using the theories and principles of physics.
• Specific research areas range from the structure and properties of matter; electromagnetic system design; nuclear, particle, electromagnetic phenomena.
• Physicists may design, model, prototype, construct, and operate radiation measurement and/or detection systems deployed internationally and domestically.
• Physicists routinely engage in complex, data-intensive analysis.

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:

• PhD in Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics or Nuclear Engineering.
• Experience working with radiation detectors. This includes the setup, operation and analysis of data.
• Experience utilizing artificial intelligence in their work.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting complex data sets.
• Good understanding of nuclear physics, including radiation detection and measurement.
• Experience in a programming language, preferably C++ or Python.
• Willing to learn new skills and support other environmental radioactivity monitoring projects as required.

Not applicable.

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 Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix
  
  B.
• Drug Testing:
  All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note:

Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and…