Actinide Electrochemist - Staff Scientist

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for an experienced Actinide Electrochemist to support and lead actinide metal purification and research within the Superblock facility. You will work onsite as a fissile material handler, performing and directing hands-on electrorefining and recovery of plutonium and other actinides using advanced electrochemical techniques. This role emphasizes technical leadership, innovation, and process optimization in a highly regulated nuclear environment. You will operate, maintain, and upgrade specialized equipment, perform complex process operations in gloveboxes, and drive work planning and control activities for new or modified operations.

This position is in the Chemistry of Nuclear Materials Group within the Materials Science Division and supports the Superblock Program within Strategic Deterrence.

You will:

• Perform complex electrochemical separations and processing within a nuclear facility.
• Apply advanced knowledge of actinide and molten salt chemistry to lead continuous improvement of electrorefining recovery processes and procedures; analyze performance and implement lessons learned to optimize future batches.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members; foster the development of innovative approaches and solutions.
• Lead process scale-up and integration efforts for new electrorefining technologies; evaluate feasibility and implement advanced approaches.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for actinide electrorefining, providing strategic guidance and interfacing with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead preparation and delivery of high-impact technical reports and presentations; communicate scientific advancements to management and collaborators.
• Oversee and upgrade specialized laboratory and industrial equipment, performing advanced troubleshooting and process enhancements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field, or the equivalent combination of degree and experience.
• Advanced understanding of high temperature metallurgical, electrochemical, and actinide processing techniques.
• Broad understanding of nuclear materials processing, contamination control, and electrorefining innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and lead technical projects while mentoring junior scientists.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills to document work, provide technical guidance, and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented approach required to work deliberately in a highly regulated nuclear facility while complying with numerous safety, security, and quality requirements.
• Proven ability to balance workload according to program priorities, solve complex problems, and complete tasks on time with minimal oversight.

Pay Range 

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually 

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years.  If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules