Noble Gas Analysis - 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 committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$113,760 Annually

Job Description

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher who will focus on noble gas analysis and data interpretation for a range of applications in Earth sciences, nuclear forensics and nonproliferation, and related fields. You will work with a group of geoscientists, radiochemists, nuclear engineers, and other scientists on method development, sample analysis, and data interpretation aimed at understanding detection, analysis, isotope systematics, and transport processes of noble gases produced by natural and synthetic sources. You will participate in all phases of research from project development through implementation, data analysis and interpretation, and documentation and presentation of results. This position is within the Trace Isotope and Element Signatures Group in the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division.

You will

• Collaborate with other scientists and technical personnel to carry out noble gas analysis and data interpretation for Earth science, nuclear nonproliferation, and nuclear forensics applications.
• Operate, maintain, and develop noble gas mass spectrometers and associated gas processing systems.
• Analyze and interpret data generated by noble gas mass spectrometry and related analytical techniques, as well as participating in development of algorithms and software for data reduction and analysis.
• Develop and perform model simulations of noble gas production, isotopic evolution, and transport for use in data interpretation and analysis.
• Participate in development of research plans and proposals.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals.
• Present results at external conferences, seminars, and/or technical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Ph.D. in a field related to noble gas analysis, typically Earth science, geochemistry, radiochemistry, or analytical chemistry.
• Understanding of noble gas production, diffusion, and transport in natural and/or artificial materials.
• Experience with operation, maintenance, and/or development of noble gas mass spectrometers and associated gas extraction systems, as well as algorithms and software used to reduce, analyze, and interpret data collected with these systems.
• Experience with software development using MATLAB, Python, and/or LabView.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to author technical and scientific reports and publications and deliver scientific presentations, with a record of presenting research results in scientific meetings and peer-reviewed literature.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills needed to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Interest in mentoring students and junior staff with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications We Desire

• Knowledge and understanding of Earth science applications of cosmic-ray-produced nuclides, including noble gases.
• Knowledge and understanding of isotope geochronology.
• Geologic field experience.
• A record of student mentoring and engagement.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

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 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement - vi