Radiochemistry Postdoctoral Researcher

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$118,884 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.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to play a major role in development of novel radiochemical separations, microfluidic techniques and detection for superheavy element experiments.  The position will also include collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Heavy Element group for on-line experiments at the 88-inch cyclotron. You will apply novel radiochemistry separations to microfluidic systems aimed at studying the chemical properties of copernicium atom-at-a-time.  This position is in the Nuclear and Radiochemistry group of the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division.

You will

• Develop microfluidic systems to automate and perform radiochemical separations on ultra-trace levels of radionuclides towards the aim of atom-at-a-time chemistry on-line at an accelerator
• Perform radioanalytical sample processing and data analysis to interpret results.
• Work with LBNL and LLNL scientists to integrate microfluidic separations with on-line detection systems and the accelerator facility.
• Prepare and conduct technical presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Document research, publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally.
• Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• PhD in Nuclear Chemistry, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Radiochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation and associated software controls and designing, assembling, and running nuclear science experiments based on radiochemical or nuclear chemistry methods.
• Experience with charged-particle and gamma-ray detectors and radiation counting and their associated data analyses.
• Experience with microfluidic systems or similar separation/chromatography systems, such as LC and HPLC
• Ability to safely work with radioactive materials (> 100  nanoCurie)
• Ability to develop experimental methods, separation techniques, and analysis approaches needed to collect and isolate radioactive isotopes produced at accelerator facilities.
• Experience with radionuclide separation methods, such as solvent extraction and ion exchange.

Additional Information

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

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.) 

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization