Tritium Analytical Scientist (Scientist 3)
About the Role
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 for future weapon systems. Emphasis is on delivering programmatic objectives through 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. Responsibilities at WETF include 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 supporting tritium accountability and GTS development, 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 specializes in gas pressure systems and related diagnostics, with supporting equipment including gloveboxes, fume hoods, high-pressure compressors, lathes, mills, wire EDMs, thermal chambers, and more.
The accepted candidate will provide scientific expertise within the group and for general LANL customers, working with the team to fulfill gas transfer mission objectives. This role requires adherence to requirements for working in facilities with radioactive hazards, including Hazard Category 2 nuclear facilities.
Responsibilities
- Develop technical expertise and knowledge of gas transfer system technology, tritium science, and related research and development efforts.
- Develop new methods, techniques, capabilities, or approaches to address critical technical problems.
- Solve a diverse range of complex problems requiring frequent use of creativity.
- Coordinate with personnel to resolve instrument maintenance and pressure safety issues.
- Provide oversight of one or more technical projects within a team environment.
- Collaborate with team members to solve multidisciplinary problems.
- Develop, review, and execute technical procedures.
- Adhere to scientific policies, programs, procedures, and practices.
- Represent the Laboratory to external agencies in defined capacities as necessary.
Requirements
- 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.
- 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 (per DOE Order 426.2A).
- Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance (U.S. citizenship required except in extremely rare circumstances).
Qualifications
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.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with 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.
- 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 the project or major task level.
- Ability to work unsupervised on individual projects and contribute to larger team efforts.
- Experience solving complex problems with multiple variables.
- Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment on multidisciplinary research problems.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety, security, and compliance.
- Ability to work daily in a classified setting and facilities with hazards including radiological, thermal, and high pressure.
Desired Qualifications
- Ph.D. in experimental physics, chemistry, or a related science.
- Research experience in experimental physics or chemistry, materials science, and/or vacuum science.
- Experience with mass spectrometry (strongly recommended).
- Experience with high-pressure systems, ultra-high vacuum systems, and 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.
- Active DOE Q clearance or other U.S. security clearance.
Essential Job Functions
- Ability to speak and discriminate speech.
- Sitting, standing, and walking.
Work Environment
- Cold environments and widely ranging ambient temperatures.
- Noisy environments near electrical power supplies, sources of ionizing radiation, weapons or explosives, and machinery with moving parts.
- Exposure to irritant chemicals, dusts, or powders.
- Required personal protective equipment: safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or facial protection, hearing protection, gloves or hand protection, safety shoes or protective footgear.
Benefits
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a 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).
Location
This position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.