Tritium Analytical Scientist (Scientist 3)

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

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JOB DETAILS

SKILLS

Analysis Skills, Budgeting, Chemistry, Code of Federal Regulations, Communication Skills, Cross-Functional, DOE Clearance, DOE-Q (Top Secret Restricted Data), Data Analysis, Dental Insurance, Electricity, Electronics, Environmental Research, Explosives, Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Instrumentation, Interpersonal Skills, Knowledge Transfer, LabVIEW Programming Language, Laboratory, Lathe, Low Voltage (LV), Mass Spectrometry, Material Science, Mentoring, Operations Security (OPSEC), Physics, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Project Planning, Project/Program Management, Psychology, Publications, Recycling, Research & Development (R&D), Safety/Work Safety, Security Clearance, Spectroscopy, Staff Training, Stewardship, Surveillance, Team Player, Technical Support, Thermodynamics, Tuition Fees, United States Citizen, United States Department of Energy (DOE), Vision Plan, Writing Skills

LOCATION

Los Alamos, NM

POSTED

15 days ago

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

The Gas Transfer Systems Group (Q-7) is responsible for design, development, production liaison, surveillance, and stewardship of all gas transfer systems (GTS) for LANL nuclear packages in the US nuclear weapon stockpile. While supporting the enduring stockpile, the group also supports the research and development of next generation GTS technology in support of future weapon systems. Emphasis is on the delivery of programmatic objectives via excellence in personnel safety, security, compliance, and programmatic hardware reliability and availability. The group is the programmatic tenant in two R&D facilities at LANL: The Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF), and a high-pressure gas transfer system radiological laboratory. At WETF, the group has a diverse array of responsibilities including tritium storage and recycling technologies, legacy item recycling and disposal, high pressure tritium operations, and GTS function testing. The team maintains calorimetry and gas mass spectrometric capabilities that support tritium accountability and the GTS development program as well as other programs across LANL. At the high pressure radiological laboratory, the team supports design agency (DA) and production agency (PA) missions for all LANL weapon systems, including valve and actuator surveillance for both LANL and SNL systems. The lab is a highly active hands-on lab, specializing in gas pressure systems and related diagnostics. Supporting equipment includes gloveboxes, fume hoods, high pressure compressors, lathes, mills, wire EDMs, thermal chambers, etc. The accepted candidate will provide scientific expertise within the group and for general LANL customers, and will work with the team to assist in fulfillment of gas transfer mission objectives as listed above and as deemed necessary.

The successful candidate will be required to:

Develop technical expertise and knowledge of gas transfer system technology, tritium science, and technologies related to these research and development efforts.
Develop new methods, techniques, capabilities, or approaches to address critical technical problems.
Solve a diverse range of complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity.
Coordinate with personnel to solve instrument maintenance and pressure safety issues.
Provide oversight of one or more technical projects within a team environment.
Collaborate with members of the team to solve multidisciplinary problems.
Develop, review, and execute technical procedures.
Adhere to scientific policies, programs, procedures, and practices.
Adhere to the requirements for working in facilities with radioactive hazards, including a Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility.
Represent the Laboratory to external agencies in defined capacities as necessary.

This posting is under the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Engineering (ALDW).

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Experimental Research Experience

Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and familiarity with instrumentation and experimentation techniques. Familiarity with pressure and vacuum systems and associated measurement techniques. Demonstrated abilities in data acquisition and analysis. Solid knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics concepts. Experience in mass spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, or related technologies.

Communication and Teamwork

Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of internal personnel and customers. Demonstrated ability to network effectively with other scientists, engineers, and key contacts outside own area of expertise. Ability to express ideas clearly in ways that build understanding, respect, and trust, as demonstrated through presentations, reports, and publications. Ability to mentor junior staff members and students.

Project Management

Ability to develop and implement project management plans, including scope, schedule, and budget, for small to moderate projects and/or major project tasks. Ability to define deliverables at project or major task level. Ability to both work unsupervised on individual projects and to contribute to larger team efforts. Experience in solving complex problems with multiple variables. Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment on multidisciplinary research problems.

Safety/ Security

Demonstrated commitment to safety, security and compliance. The successful candidate will work daily in a classified setting and facilities with hazards including radiological, thermal, high pressure, etc. Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance.

Education/Experience: Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

DOE Order 426.2A: Requires a Bachelor's of Science degree in engineering or a related science or technology, 2 years of job related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Desired Qualifications:

Ph.D. in experimental physics, chemistry, or a related science.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Research experience in experimental physics or chemistry, materials science, and/or vacuum science.
Experience with mass spectrometry is strongly recommended.
Experience with high pressure systems, ultra high vacuum systems, and the handling of precious or hazardous gases.
Experience with LabVIEW or other data acquisition programming.
Experience with low-voltage signal electronics at the discrete component level.
Prior post-doctoral or job experience in the topics described.
DOE Q clearance or other US security clearance.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):

Ability to speak
Ability to discriminate speech
Sitting
Standing
Walking

Work Environment:

In a cold environment
In widely ranging ambient temperatures
Work in a noisy environment
Work near electrical power supplies
Work near sources of ionizing radiation
Work with weapons or explosives
Work near machinery with moving parts
Irritant chemicals
Dusts or powders
Safety glasses or eye protection
Face shield or facial protection
Hearing protection
Gloves or hand protection
Safety shoes or protective footgear

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:

Please submit a detailed resume, along with a cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum requirements and any desired qualifications.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2A: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2A, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, 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, state, and local 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 (505)-664-6947.

About the Company

Los Alamos National Laboratory

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