Post Doctorate RA – Optical Spectroscopy of Plasmas (9766)

Overview

 

At a time when complex environmental problems are emerging on every front, the Nuclear Sciences Division's staff, capabilities, and facilities are delivering science and technology innovations for the environment, as well as for energy and national security needs. Our diverse work addresses a wide range of national and international challenges, from providing solutions that protect the health of people who must work in hazardous environments, to developing durable new materials, streamlining industrial processes for improved productivity and effectiveness, and delivering new approaches for environmental cleanup. Nuclear Sciences Division capabilities and efforts are focused in three key areas including Environmental Health and Remediation, Nuclear Regulatory, and Nuclear Energy.

The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing experimental work related to optical spectroscopy of slurries including laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The successful candidate will also be expected to work effectively with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, be self-motivated, and have excellent communication skills. The results of the successful candidate's work will be used to generate new intellectual property, presentations at national conferences, publications, and new research proposals. The ability to multitask and work both independently and in a team environment is essential. A demonstrated ability to analyze data and publish results is also required.

Responsibilities

 

The candidate will work under the guidance of senior scientists and engineers and will focus their initial efforts on performing spectroscopic and optical process monitoring experiments, and materials characterization. Analytical skills of specific relevance include emission spectroscopy, laser absorption spectroscopy, and laser-induced fluorescence techniques, and data interpretation for these methods.    

The candidate will be responsible for:

• Providing solutions to an assortment of problems using conventional methods where causal relationships are progressively difficult to establish.
• Independently completing assigned tasks, exercising limited judgement on work details and making preliminary selections and adaptations of technical alternatives. This may include use of standard analytical equipment and/or creating custom analytical equipment.
• Building a professional reputation for technical expertise by fully applying and interpreting standard theories, principles, methods, tools and technologies within specialty.

Qualifications

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, Material Science or other related field.
• Academic background in lasers, optics, plasma physics, plasma diagnostics or a related field.
• Experience with spectroscopy of laser-produced plasma, plasma spectral modeling, plasma diagnostics.
• Experience working with ns and fs lasers.
• Experience with optical spectroscopy (emission (LIBS), absorption, laser-induced fluorescence).
• Experience in planning, constructing, and executing complex laboratory experiments using individual optical components and laboratory instruments.
• Experience with software packages such as LabVIEW or MATLAB for experiment control, numerical modeling and simulation, and data analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

 

Work is performed in the radiochemical processing laboratory – a Cat II non-reactor nuclear facility. Will require working with radioactive materials.

Additional Information

 

Not applicable. 

About PNNL

 

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
 

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity

 

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

Drug Free Workplace

 

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use.  Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.  If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. 

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

 

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential.  To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Mandatory Requirements

 

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

 

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

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Notice to Applicants

 

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.