Materials Characterization Laboratory Technical Professional

About the role

We are seeking a Materials Characterization Laboratory Technical Professional in the Applied Materials Analysis Group in the Materials Characterization Section, of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division, part of the National Security Sciences Directorate Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This role is responsible for managing the lab spaces through ensuring highly specialized equipment is maintained at maximum operability time, including coordination of vendor support and appropriate downtime to reduce impact to research. In addition, this role will manage the documentation and inventory system for the laboratory as well as be the key point of contact for all day to day operations within the lab space. This role also has the availability to support R&D activities as this role will become a SME in the functionality of several specialized instruments. It will become expected that as this role develops, the candidate will begin participation in experimental activities such as setup, sample preparation, routine measurements, and recording data. This position supports a large, shared laboratory space used by physicists, uranium chemists, and materials scientists. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills to multiple levels of staff so that across these disciplines as well as communication with support staff of facilities, radiological controls, and other environmental, health, and safety personnel.

Responsibilities

• Maintain operational readiness, including organized space with ready to use instruments of a shared interdisciplinary laboratory
• Manage laboratory inventory, including chemicals, consumables, gases, sample supplies, spare parts, and radioactive materials in compliance with DOE requirements
• Manage and organize incoming research materials and samples
• Maintain equipment logs, maintenance records, standard operating procedures, and other laboratory documentation
• Support compliance with SOPs, ES&H processes, chemical hazard tracking, and laboratory safety requirements
• Assist with proper waste handling and hazardous material management in accordance with internal procedures
• Assist scientists with experimental setup, sample preparation, routine measurements, and recording data
• Prepare materials, reagents, and equipment for ongoing research efforts
• Record and organize experimental data and observations accurately
• Provide technical support across multiple scientific disciplines
• Contribute to technical reports, journal articles, and presentations as needs arise
• Troubleshoot routine laboratory and instrumentation issues independently and escalate more complex problems when needed

Requirements

• A BS degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, geochemistry/geoscience, or another instrumentation-intensive scientific discipline
• 1-2 years of experience active participation in a laboratory in academic research or similar technical environment
• Familiarity with complex scientific instrumentation and general laboratory operations
• Experience following standard operating procedures and laboratory safety practices
• Ability to manage shifting priorities in a dynamic research environment

Special requirements: Visa sponsorship is not available; this position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy and is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position, requiring a pre