Radiobioassay Lab Technician

Requisition Id 14306 

 

Overview:

The Nuclear and Radiological Protection Division (NRPD) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a Radiobioassay Laboratory Technician within the Nuclear Measurements and Analytical Services Group. ORNL is a world leader in advanced science and technology research involving several nonreactor nuclear facilities, accelerators, and the High Flux Isotope Reactor which involve a complex range of internal and external radiological hazards that are managed to protect more than 3,000 researchers and operations staff involved in the Nuclear Research and Isotope Production Mission. The Radioanalytical Services Group is responsible for maintaining Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP) accreditation for in vivo and in vitro analytical programs and providing specialty measurement capabilities as an essential part of the ORNL Radiological Protection Program. The primary focus of this position is to perform low-level radiochemical analyses including sample preparation, radiochemical separation, and source preparation of bioassay samples in support of the ORNL radiobioassay program.
 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:
Under general supervision, perform a variety of technical tasks in a safe and reliable manner, in full compliance with all procedural, work control, and regulatory requirements.  Primary duties may include any or all the following:

 

• Perform routine and incident scheduling and ordering of direct and indirect bioassay for workers.

• Tracking sample status and apprising management of results.

• Record keeping including logbooks and digital record entry.

• Perform backup count room and whole-body counter tasks including background and personnel counting once trained.

• Perform low-level radiochemical analyses of bioassay samples (primarily urine and fecal samples), which includes sample preparation, radiochemical separation, and source preparation (electrodeposition, filtration, etc.).

• Participate in other laboratory activities such as data entry, data validation, segregation and disposal of waste, preparation of reagents, routine maintenance and cleaning activities, performing inventory of chemicals and supplies, and preparation of standards.

• Retrieve bioassay samples from sample drop-off stations, maintaining chain-of-custody, and log in relevant information into bioassay LIMS.

• Review data for completeness and accuracy.

• Work overtime when needed (such as during incidents).

• Fulfil and maintain all required training (site-wide and job-specific).

• Weekly in vivo and in vitro bioassay appointment scheduling. 

• Managing in vitro bioassay appointments (scheduling/canceling/modifying) as requested.

• Sending monthly in vitro bioassay notices to workers.

• Providing in vitro bioassay customer identification labels for SPP clients as requested. 

 
Basic Qualifications:

• An Associate degree in chemistry, chemical or environmental engineering, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a radiochemistry or sample analysis laboratory.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

 
Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.

• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing nee