Research Technologist 1/2
- Req. Number: IRC146550
- Organization : MST-8/Structure/Property Relations
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Recruiter Name: Pincheira Dennett, Marcela
- Recruiter Email: marcelap@lanl.gov
What You Will Do
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Technologist 1 or 2 to join the Microstructure Response and Dynamic Properties of Materials Science and Technology (MST) Division. MST division focuses on materials science and engineering, emphasizing on understanding the processing - microstructure - property relationship of materials in various applications. Performance of job responsibilities will involve exposure to hazards that include radiation generating devices, radioactive materials, organic solvents, and other hazardous materials. This position requires excellent work ethic and team building/mentoring skills, high level of initiative, and commitment to safety, quality, and documentation.
This position will be filled at either the Research Technologist 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Research Technologist 1 ($87,800 -$143,000)
The successful candidate will provide research support in the field of materials science. The research technologist will work within established procedures, processes, requirements, or specifications to perform metallography and electron microscopy work on a variety of tasks and projects. Responsibilities for the selected candidate at Research Technologist 1 will include:
Research Technologist 2 ($96,600 -$158,000)
In addition to the responsibilities and activities listed above, the Research Technologist 2 will be expected to:
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Additional Job Requirements for a Research Technologist 2:
Education/Experience Level 1: 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.
Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but who do not meet the two-year experience requirement, are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an allowable variance.
Education/Experience Level 2: 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:
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 2 year.
Note to Applicants: For technical questions related to this position contact Dr. Hi Vo (hvo@lanl.gov).
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:
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.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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. 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.
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Technologist 1 or 2 to join the Microstructure Response and Dynamic Properties of Materials Science and Technology (MST) Division. MST division focuses on materials science and engineering, emphasizing on understanding the processing - microstructure - property relationship of materials in various applications. Performance of job responsibilities will involve exposure to hazards that include radiation generating devices, radioactive materials, organic solvents, and other hazardous materials. This position requires excellent work ethic and team building/mentoring skills, high level of initiative, and commitment to safety, quality, and documentation.
This position will be filled at either the Research Technologist 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Research Technologist 1 ($87,800 -$143,000)
The successful candidate will provide research support in the field of materials science. The research technologist will work within established procedures, processes, requirements, or specifications to perform metallography and electron microscopy work on a variety of tasks and projects. Responsibilities for the selected candidate at Research Technologist 1 will include:
- Perform established preparation and characterization routines with guidance.
- Acquire micrographs and EBSD data and perform routine analysis.
- Maintain records and communicate results. Interact with facility personnel for instrumentation installation and maintenance.
- Contribute to meeting program deliverables in various mission critical programs.
- Maintain compliance with conduct of operations, safety, security, and environmental regulations.
- Assist with maintenance of various types of laboratory equipment.
- Manage metallography lab including IWDs, user access, and upkeeping.
Research Technologist 2 ($96,600 -$158,000)
In addition to the responsibilities and activities listed above, the Research Technologist 2 will be expected to:
- Independently select and refine preparation, acquisition, and analysis methods.
- Troubleshoot preparation artifacts, poor indexing, and analysis limitations.
- Interpret results, coordinate characterization work, and contribute technical content to reports and papers.
- Resolve problems of moderately complex scope requiring review of a variety of factors. Develop/refine preparation and imaging techniques for quantitative materials characterization.
- Help coordinate sample preparation and data acquisition activities on the lab floor
- Interact with facility personnel for installation and maintenance.
- Contribute to meeting program deliverables in various mission critical programs.
- Maintain compliance with conduct of operations, safety, security, and environmental regulations.
- Assist with maintenance of various types of laboratory equipment.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Knowledge of physical metallurgy and microstructural characterization with an emphasis on metallography and scanning electron microscopy characterization.
- Prepare metallic specimens for optical microscopy, SEM and EBSD, including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching; select preparation methods that minimize deformation and surface artifacts.
- Ability for scanning electron microscope (SEM)-based techniques such as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) acquisition, data processing, interpretation, and reporting.
- Ability to understand a wide range of sample preparation techniques and equipment.
- Ability to work with computer systems and applications including PC software, and Microsoft Office Suite including data manipulation, and use of databases.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, procedures, plans and Laboratory requirements.
- Ability to follow safeguards and security procedures in accordance with the Laboratory policy.
- Fosters a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
- Demonstrated experience in mechanical testing and sample preparation techniques.
Additional Job Requirements for a Research Technologist 2:
- Acquire and analyze EBSD maps to characterize grain size, crystallographic texture, grain boundaries, phase distributions, and local orientation variations.
- Develop and document preparation procedures, acquisition settings, analysis methods, and data quality to support reproducible characterization.
- Demonstrated experience in working with electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and FIB.
- Demonstrated experience with complex mechanical testing systems and techniques.
- Demonstrated experience with computer systems and applications including PC software, Microsoft office suite
- Demonstrated experience in use of image analysis software such as ImageJ and DIC software.
- Demonstrated experience in use of a computer language for writing analysis routines
- Demonstrated experience in developing reports and reporting on data.
Education/Experience Level 1: 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.
Candidates that meet the degree requirement, but who do not meet the two-year experience requirement, are encouraged to apply and may be considered for hire through an allowable variance.
Education/Experience Level 2: 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:
- Previous experience with mechanical testing techniques (e.g., nanoindentation, compression, tension) and systems.
- Previous experience operating optical microscopes.
- Experience using electron microscopes and focused ion beam instruments.
- Experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and setting up lab equipment.
- Experience handling hazardous materials.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Q clearance, which normally requires US citizenship.
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 2 year.
Note to Applicants: For technical questions related to this position contact Dr. Hi Vo (hvo@lanl.gov).
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 (PTO 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.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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. 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.
