Actinide Chemistry and Materials Science 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

$118,884 Annually

Job Description

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to explore the chemistry and materials science of actinide elements. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team of materials scientists, chemists, modelers, and data scientists applying existing and developing new transuranic processing techniques to support nonproliferation research. This position is in the Chemistry of Nuclear Materials Group in the Materials Science Division.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will 

• Conduct experiments that lead to an understanding of chemical speciation in molten salt conditions.
• Drive improvements and innovation for aqueous and/or pyrochemical purification of actinides.
• Evaluate existing methods and devise improvements for forensic signatures in state-of-the-art processing of actinides.
• Contribute to and actively participate in the development of experiments to capture data needed for computational and machine learning model development.
• Pursue independent but complementary research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Collaborate with scientists in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Maintain and establish laboratory protocols.
• Document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the Department of Energy( DOE )community and at conferences.
• 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 chemistry, materials science, radiochemistry or related field.
• Experience in synthesis, purification, or other processing of actinide materials.
• Experience and fundamental knowledge of chemistry or materials science of the actinide elements.
• Experience with air free environments such as gloveboxes or Schlenk Lines and handling of radioactive materials.
• Ability to develop independent research projects and publish in peer-reviewed literature.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills as reflected in effective presentations at seminars, meetings and/or teaching lectures.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills with desire and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Knowledge of or experience in transuranic synthesis and/or processes.
• Experience with anion exchange and precipitation techniques.
• Experience with pyrochemical processing.
• Experience with conducting electrochemical experiments.
• Broad experience and knowledge of designing and conducting beamline experiments.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

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 - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cl