Research Technologist 1
- Req. Number: IRC142199
- Organization : Engineered Materials (MST-7)
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Salary: $85,900 - $139,900
- Recruiter Name: Jiron, Sue Antoinette (Antoinette)
- Recruiter Email: sajiron@lanl.gov
The Engineered Materials Group (MST-7) is seeking outstanding candidates to perform deposition and analysis of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), and/or Chemical Solution deposition (CSD) coatings. The candidate is expected to work independently and lead deposition/analysis method development. Regular dissemination of results in the form of well-kept laboratory notebooks, internal reports, peer-reviewed research papers, and conference presentations will be essential for success.
The Surface & Interface Engineering Team R&D Technologist will support MST-7 and other organizations across LANL. MST-7's mission is to use our materials science expertise to address national security needs. This requires maintaining excellence in fundamental materials science, innovative materials development, and synthesis of unique thin films and coatings coupled with cutting edge materials fabrication processes, advanced characterization techniques and world class ultra-precision design and machining. We apply a multi-disciplinary approach to push the state-of-the-art in engineered materials to be responsive to emergent national security requirements, trusted stakeholders, and production agency needs.
The candidate should have the ability to meet the following job duties:
- Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Assures safety and security compliance, maintains required safety and security training, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task.
- Contributes to the development of techniques and the fulfillment of research goals. Can resolve problems of moderately complex scope requiring review of a variety of factors.
- Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts.
- Works independently but under collaborative direction and guidance toward predetermined goals and objectives.
- Work is checked through consultation and agreement with others and may involve formal review by a senior member of the team.
- Contribute to the development of specifications for project implementation and verifying that the end product meets expectations and requirements.
- Prepares research documentation and may provide peer-review of the documentation of other members of the team.
- May supply ideas and/or input to proposals.
- May contribute to or co-author scientific publications.
- May act as lead and review activities of other employees on specific tasks that contribute to the larger project.
- Contributions are of sufficient value and scope to have impact on project goals; conversely, incorrect technical decisions can cause significant delays in project completion.
- Understands and adheres to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to the work and work area to which assigned.
- Fosters a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
The candidate should have the following job knowledge:
- Knowledge in the area of practice acquired by experience, certification and/or formal education, i.e. experience with vacuum/coating system maintenance and operation for coating and/or analysis operations.
- Knowledge of scientific principles, experimental processes, mathematical formulas, computations and data gathering methods. The candidate should be comfortable developing PVD, CVD, and/or CSD procedures and execute characterization of coating/surface qualities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of standard principles, concepts and techniques in area of technical specialty.
- Some knowledge of industry, regulatory, DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) complex codes, standards and criteria pertinent to the particular area of research.
- Moderate level of supervising some portion of research projects in a safe and effective manner.
- Ability to obtain a "Q" clearance.
Education/Experience: 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.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with some subset of maintenance and operation of vacuum/coating systems (e-beam, magnetron sputter, ion beam assisted deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, high vacuum furnace).
- Experience in wet-chemistry preparation of chemical solutions for coating by dipping, spraying, or spin coating and operation of CSD coating systems.
- Experience with some subset of maintenance and operation of surface analysis instrumentation (scanning election microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, focused ion beam milling/microscopy, atomic force microscopy, adhesion testing, contact angle goniometry, optical/stylus profilometry).
- Experience with some subset of relevant software (Solidworks, Python, Matlab, Origin, Igor, LabView).
- At this level, post graduate course work is desirable.
- Active Q clearance.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
Work Environment:
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:
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 maternity and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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.
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 P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
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.