Post Doctorate RA - Optical and Electrochemical Monitoring

Company: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Location: Washington
Posted on: March 10, 2025

Job Description:

OverviewAt a time when complex environmental problems are emerging on every front, the Nuclear Sciences Division's staff, capabilities, and facilities are delivering science and technology innovations for the environment, as well as for energy and national security needs. Our diverse work addresses a wide range of national and international challenges, from providing solutions that protect the health of people who must work in hazardous environments, to developing durable new materials, streamlining industrial processes for improved productivity and effectiveness, and delivering new approaches for environmental cleanup. The Nuclear Sciences Division capabilities and efforts are focused in three key areas including Environmental Health and Remediation, Nuclear Regulatory, and Nuclear Energy.The Post Doctorate RA - Optical and Electrochemical Monitoring position will provide support to the process monitoring work performed in support of various mission spaces at the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory. The candidate will work under the guidance of senior scientists and engineers and will focus their initial efforts on application of optical and electrochemical tools to on-line process monitoring. This position involves planning and performing experiments with radioactive and non-radioactive materials and the subsequent interpretation and reporting of the data from these experiments. This effort will require a broad knowledge of analytical techniques, handling oxidizing and corrosive chemicals, handling radiological materials, operating test equipment, collecting and interpreting experimental data, and adapting experiments to meet project objectives.ResponsibilitiesThe candidate will work under the guidance of senior scientists and engineers and will focus their initial efforts on performing spectroscopic and electrochemical process monitoring experiments, chemical speciation, and materials characterization. Analytical skills of specific relevance include Raman, UV-Vis-NIR, fluorescence, and electrochemistry techniques, and the corresponding sample preparation, and data interpretation for these methods.The candidate will be responsible for:

• Providing solutions to an assortment of problems using conventional methods where causal relationships are progressively difficult to establish.
• Independently completing assigned tasks, exercising limited judgement on work details and making preliminary selections and adaptations of technical alternatives. This may include use of standard analytical equipment and/or creating custom analytical equipment (e.g., installed within glovebox/hot cell or to automate data collection).
• Building a professional reputation for technical expertise by fully applying and interpreting standard theories, principles, methods, tools and technologies within specialty.QualificationsMinimum 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 chemistry, radiochemistry, or nuclear engineering.
    • Experience with chemometric modeling, optical spectroscopy, examples include FTIR, Raman, and UV-vis-NIR.
    • Have experience using MATLAB, optical spectroscopic instrumentation, and electrochemical instrumentation.
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills, a demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team member.
    • The candidate must have experience performing spectroscopic analysis and electrochemical analysis.Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentWork is performed in the radiochemical processing laboratory - a Cat II non-reactor nuclear facility. Will require working with radioactive materials.Testing Designated PositionThis 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.About PNNLPacific 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 Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State-the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab's campus is only a 45-minute flight (or -3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment OpportunityOur laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at .Drug Free WorkplacePNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility RequirementsIn accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.For foreign national candidates:If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.Mandatory RequirementsPlease be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a "country of risk" without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.* Research Associates excluded.**Once eligibility requirements are met.Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.Minimum SalaryUSD $69,000.00/Yr.Maximum SalaryUSD $119,100.00/Yr.
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Keywords: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Washington DC , Post Doctorate RA - Optical and Electrochemical Monitoring, Other , Washington, DC