Material Science Technician

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, Integrated Discovery 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 Nuclear Material Processing (NMP) group at PNNL is seeking a technician with expertise in metallography and material science to join a team of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers working to strengthen national security and advance nuclear science.

The ideal candidate will have hands on experience in actinide and/or actinide surrogate metallurgical processing and operating research equipment/capabilities including arc melters, casting, rolling, polishing, and cutting. Additionally, the candidate should be familiar with typical solid material characterization tools including microscopy (SEM, EBSD, EDS, and optical microscopy), focused ion beam (FIB)/SEM for TEM and APT sample preparation.

Experience working in radiological fume hoods and glove boxes is desired but not required. The successful candidate will work under the direction of mid-senior team members to aid in various programs within the NMP group’s research. The candidate will work independently and in teams to complete recurring assignments, reporting results to the larger team on time and within budget. They will be expected to embrace quality, safety, and security in all aspects of the job.

• Spans basic sample preparation (metallography) to advanced FIB/SEM preparation for techniques like TEM and APT.
• Synthesizes and studies the structures and physical/chemical properties of various materials.
• Studies the structures of materials from atomic to large length scales and performs short- and long-term characterization or testing of these materials to understand their behavior and determine ways to improve them or develop new materials with specific properties.
• Develops individual steps and combined processes for manufacturing, joining, finishing, treating, and strengthening materials.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED and 2 years of experience in a laboratory, industrial or high hazard setting
  -OR-
• Technical Institute Graduate (TIG)/relevant AA degree or higher and 1 year of experience in a laboratory, industrial or high hazard setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team member.
• Experience with radioactive materials and nuclear science/technology.
• Experience with metal casting operations.
• Experience with alloying and casting of actinide or actinide surrogate metals
• Experience with microscopy techniques for materials characterization (SEM, EBSD, EDS, and optical microscopy).
• Experience using a FIB-SEM for sample preparation for TEM and APT analysis.
• Experience with radiological fume hoods and glove boxes.

Radiochemical Processing Lab Cat 2 facility, individual must be able/willing to work with hazaradous chemicals and redioactive materials in a nuclear facility.

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…