• Hands on laboratory work involving the elements Th, U, Np, Pu, Am, etc.
• Radiochemical or elemental separations and wet chemistry.
• Actinide material synthesis, including small-molecule complexes and inorganic materials such as, UO2 or PuO2.
• The study of nuclear materials such as, molecular complexes, frameworks, or inorganic materials like U3O8, UF4, PuO2, etc.
• Experimental techniques may include: X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, absorbance/emission spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, surface area analysis, density measurements, or particle size analysis.

• Research Associates excluded.

• Conduct research of organic or inorganic substances.
• Conduct independent research and work on team projects.
• Interact, communicate, and collaborate with a diverse team of research staff across PNNL.
• Present research at technical conferences and project/program review meetings.
• Contribute to the development of research proposals.
• Analyze and tests new or existing materials to identify their properties and characteristics for the development or improvement of new or existing products.
• Study the relationship between chemical and physical properties.
• May specialize in:
  • Analytical Chemistry: Performs qualitative and quantitative analyses of organic compounds, inorganic compounds, or biologics to determine the chemical composition and/or physical properties by verifying their identity, purity, and homogeneity.
  • Biochemistry: Studies the chemical structures, processes, and composition of living organisms and performs studies of chemical reactions for processes involved in all basic life functions.
  • Geochemistry: Studies the composition, structure, processes, and other physical aspects of the Earth.
  • Inorganic Chemistry: Investigates the properties and behaviors of inorganic compounds and materials, which include metals, metal oxides and complexes, both natural and synthetic, as well as main group and organometallic compounds.
  • Nuclear Chemistry: Studies reactions that take place inside the nucleus of atoms, such as fission and fusion processes including the production of radionuclides, or studies the effects of ionizing radiation on materials, living organisms, and the environment.
  • Radiochemistry: Develops and/or applies chemical techniques to study naturally occurring and manmade radionuclides and employs chemical concepts for processing irradiated materials. Applies chemical techniques involving radiotracers to investigate chemical, biochemical, or biomedical questions.
  • Organic Chemistry: Studies the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-containing compounds, which may also include hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, halogens, phosphorus, silicon, and sulfur.
  • Physical Chemistry: Studies how matter behaves at both the molecular and atomic level, how chemical reactions occur, and develop new theories such as how complex structures are formed.

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

• A Ph.D. in Inorganic, radiochemistry, or materials science.
• A research portfolio that includes inorganic wet-chemistry and synthesis, radioisotope separations, or solid-state materials chemistry. Preference is for experience in actinide science.
• Experienced in glove box operations within air or air-free conditions, or equivalent.
• Well versed in X-ray diffraction (powder, single crystal), vibrational and optical spectroscopies, and thermogravimetric analysis—an emphasis on UV-vis-NIR absorbance spectroscopy is a preferred skill.
• Familiarity with particle size or morphological analysis via dynamic image analysis, and optical or electron microscopy.
• The candidate must be comfortable working independently, within matrixed teams, or in a leadership capacity.
• A track record for planning, conducting, and reporting experimental work is required as evidenced by a growing list of peer-reviewed publications.

The incumbent must be able/willing to work with hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials.

• 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 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance (L or Q) positions will be considered by the Department of Energy to be Testing Designated Positions which means that they are subject to applicant, random, and for cause 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).