What You Will Do

The Nuclear Chemistry & Spectrometry Team at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and results-oriented early career staff member with a strong experimental radiochemistry background that can contribute to our team's various missions. If selected, you will join a diverse team of chemists and physicists dedicated to nuclear data measurements supporting several laboratory mission areas as well as the international nuclear data community. We carry out experiments with custom-designed and existing detector systems, both in house at Nuclear and Radiochemistry (C-NR) and at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), and at various external facilities such as Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL), National Ignition Facility (NIF), and the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC).

Responsibilities will include experimental research and development in the areas of radiochemistry, separations chemistry, actinide chemistry and target fabrication and characterization for nuclear physics experiments. The radiochemists on our team will also utilize their chemical expertise in separations, chemical analysis, and deposition techniques with our collaborators at LANL and elsewhere.

The Nuclear Chemistry & Spectrometry Team is also responsible for the operations, maintenance, and continued development of the C-NR Nuclear Counting Facility. You will be expected to join our efforts in several of our current research areas:

• Energy differential neutron-capture, neutron-transmission, and neutron-induced fission cross section measurements on stable and radioactive isotopes at the LANSCE accelerator facility;

• Energy differential reaction cross section, and cumulative and short-lived fission product yield (FPY) measurements at the Tandem and HIgS facilities at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) in Durham, NC. This is a LANL-LLNL-TUNL collaboration;

• Energy integral neutron-induced reaction cross section and cumulative FPY measurements using the critical assemblies at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) at the Nevada National Security Site;

• Radiochemical neutron diagnostics and Reaction-In-Flight (RIF) neutron measurements at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Lab in CA.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Research experience should be supported by publications, conference proceedings, and talks.

• Demonstrated practical laboratory experience handling radioactive materials safely in open-front hoods.

• Demonstrated experience in separation techniques, such as chromatography and solvent extraction.

• Experience with gamma spectrometry, alpha spectrometry, liquid scintillation counting, digital autoradiography, or gas proportional counting.

• Knowledge of chemistry of actinides, transuranic elements, fission products, and accelerator produced radionuclides.

• Proven ability to work effectively in both a multidisciplinary team environment and independently to meet programmatic milestones and scientific goals.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills demonstrated through a record of technical presentations, published manuscripts or reports.

• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires US citizenship.

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, inorganic chemistry or related field and 4 years of related experience. PhD is preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of postdoctoral experience, preferably at an institution different than your degree granting school or laboratory.

• Sample preparation techniques such as electrodeposition and vapor deposition.

• Experience with nuclear databases such as the National Nuclear Data Center.

• Experience with cross section measurements and neutron activation analysis.

• Experience supervising/mentoring technician level staff, postdocs, or students.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants: In addition to the resume or CV, you must include a cover letter addressing each of the minimum job requirements and desired skills.
Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paid childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.Employment StatusFull Time

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