Radiochemistry Research Technologist 1/2 (Research Technologist 1/2)

What You Will Do

The C-AAC (Actinide Analytical Chemistry) Group within Chemistry Division has a position available for a Research Technologist 1/2. This position will serve the Laboratory's core national security mission areas of weapons science and threat reduction, performing radiochemical analysis. Routine work involves the preparation and analysis of plutonium samples using several analytical techniques. Sample preparation will involve dissolution, aliquoting, balance operations, pipetting, ion exchange chromatography, sample plating, and measurement. Instrumental analysis will include the use of gas-proportional counters, alpha spectroscopy, liquid scintillation counters (LSC), and gamma spectroscopy, including HPGe (High Purity Germanium) and NaI (sodium iodide) spectrometers. The selected candidate will support and perform the radiochemical analysis of plutonium metal and other actinide containing materials, as well as assist with data logging and reporting, instrument upkeep, glove changes, bagouts, and other tasks as needed to maintain analytical chemistry functionality in nuclear facilities. Work assignments are directly related to national security objectives and requires the individual to protect and maintain sensitive or classified information. An ability to obtain a Q clearance is required. #chemistry #chemtech #chemstaff #c-aac


This position will be filled at either the Research Technologist 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Research Technologist 1 $83,900 - $136,600
The successful candidate will:
  • Work in gloveboxes and hoods in nuclear facilities.
  • Perform radiochemical analysis of plutonium-bearing metals, compounds, and residues.
  • Contribute to analytical chemistry reports.
  • Contribute to preparation of work documentation.
  • Maintain a clean analytical chemistry environment.
  • Maintain/troubleshoot/repair instrumentation.

Research Technologist 2 $92,300 - $151,000
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the Research Technologist operates with a greater level of independence and mentor technicians/technologists at lower levels.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Experience with hands-on operations with radioactive and nuclear material.
  • Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including a full-face respirator.
  • Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which usually requires US citizenship.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and advanced hands-on experience in chemical and/or materials analysis
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to perform work in a rigorously controlled work environment utilizing the principles of formality of operations and work authorization.
  • Demonstrated ability to follow procedures and guidelines in accordance with stringent quality assurance and quality control requirements.
  • Demonstrated experience with data collection, record keeping, and report generation.
  • Experience working in a glovebox or open front hood within a radiological facility.
  • Knowledge and experience in radiological contamination monitoring and control.
  • Demonstrated work experience in a team environment while exhibiting collaborative behavior.
  • Direct experience operating spectrometers, radiometric counting equipment such as gas-proportional counters, alpha spectroscopy, liquid scintillation counters (LSC), and gamma spectroscopy, including HPGe (High Purity Germanium) and NaI (sodium iodide) spectrometers.

Additional Job Requirements for Research Technologist 2:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
  • Direct experience maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation such as hotplates, heat lamps, spectrometers, radiometric counting equipment radiometric counting equipment such as gas-proportional counters, alpha spectroscopy, liquid scintillation counters (LSC), and gamma spectroscopy, including HPGe (High Purity Germanium) and NaI (sodium iodide) spectrometers.
  • Experience with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) for drug manufacturing, NQA-1, or similarly rigorous QA/QC manufacturing programs.
  • Experience with support for activities including research, analysis, development, design, assembly, modification, oversight, repair, and maintenance of a wide variety of equipment used in experimental work.
  • Demonstrated experience prioritizing tasks in order to complete multiple assignments with conflicting deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with peers, be responsible for the development, implementation, and completion of project objectives.
Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience or specialized training for working with radioactive and nuclear materials
  • Significant experience working in a glovebox or open front hood within a nuclear facility
  • Knowledge and experience in radioanalytical chemistry
  • Experience in procurement, assembly, modification, maintenance, and repair of analytical instrumentation
  • Familiarity and experience with performing technical work within a quality assurance and quality control program
  • Knowledge of DOE Conduct of Operations and safety/security requirements for nuclear/radiological facilities
  • Active DOE Q clearance
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
  • Fine motor control
  • climbing stairs
Work Environment:
  • Work near sources of ionizing radiation, near sources of non-ionizing radiation, and toxic chemicals
  • Work with safety glasses or eye protection, face shield, respirator, anti-C clothing, gloves, safety shoes, hood use
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: For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above. Evaluation of applicants will commence immediately. While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grown into the full salary band over time.

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 maternity and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (PTO)
  • 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.

426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, 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.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.