Scientific Associate II
Requisition ID: 17123
About the role
We are seeking a Scientific Associate II who will focus on providing scientific operations support for NSE – the Neutron Spin Echo beamline, which is a high-resolution time-of-flight neutron spectrometer for characterizing the slow dynamics of soft condensed matter. This position resides in the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) Science Support Group 1 in the Neutron Scattering Division (NSD), Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In this role, you will provide technical support and guidance to the scientific staff and user community, while serving as the primary point of contact for operations support staff. As part of the NSE instrument team, you will support researchers from all over the world through effective instrument operation and troubleshooting, with opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking scientific research utilizing neutron scattering. For more information, visit https://neutrons.ornl.gov/nse .
Responsibilities
- Provide technical direction to craft and technical teams and support staff scientists and user groups in developing system requirements, test plans, and operations documentation for the instrument.
- Lead project management and systems engineering activities, including assembly, installation, and testing of instrument components, and participate in developing and commissioning new instrument capabilities.
- Oversee general instrument operations, provide technical expertise on instrument capabilities, respond to troubleshooting needs (including after-hours/weekends), and assist users with sample preparation, installation, and logistics.
- Manage instrument maintenance and sample environment/consumable inventories, coordinate preventive maintenance and preparation for operating cycles, and coordinate sample return/disposal with sample management staff.
- Analyze experimental hazards and implement mitigating actions; ensure proposals have necessary science, safety, and equipment