Actinide Chemistry and Materials Science - Staff Scientist

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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. This position is in the Metallurgy and Advanced Microscopy group of the Materials Science Division.

Pay Range

$168,780 - $214,032 annually

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where we apply science and technology to make the world a safer place!

We are seeking a Staff Scientist to conduct research in the chemistry and materials science of actinides. The selected candidate will support interdisciplinary teams of experimentalists, modelers, and data scientists applying existing and developing transuranic processing techniques to support nonproliferation research and explore actinide process signatures. This position is in the Chemistry of Nuclear Materials Group in the Materials Science Division.

In this role you will

• Design, execute, and oversee laboratory experiments with actinide materials.
• Introduce innovative approaches to the aqueous and/or pyrochemical purification of actinides, ensuring process efficiency.
• Evaluate current methods and develop improvements for analyzing process signatures in advanced actinide processing.
• Design and execute experiments to generate high-quality data for computational modeling and machine learning applications, collaborating closely with modeling and data science experts as needed.
• Pursue independent yet complementary research initiatives, collaborating with a diverse range of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Develop, maintain, and refine laboratory protocols and procedures.
• Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to achieve research goals.
• Document research activities, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and present findings to the DOE community and at scientific conferences.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• 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 a related field.
• Advanced Knowledge in the chemistry or materials science of actinide elements as demonstrated by a publication record.
• Experience in the synthesis, purification, or processing of actinide materials and proficiency working with air-free environments (e.g., gloveboxes or Schlenk lines) and handling radioactive materials.
• Solid understanding of characterization, especially spectroscopy principles, and experience in the design and execution of experiments and data interpretation.
• Ability to develop independent research projects and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Advanced verbal communication skills as reflected by effective presentations at international conferences or lecture experience.
• Initiative and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability and enthusiasm to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams both within LLNL and with external partners—including contributing to proposal development and, when needed, working in partner laboratories.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with transuranic small molecule synthesis, including the use of anion exchange and precipitation techniques for reprocessing.
• Experience in laboratory management, including maintaining specialized equipment, ensuring safe and efficient operations, and training or supervising laboratory personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor postdocs, students, and colleagues, providing guidance to develop their technical and professional skillsets.
• Experience writing successful beamline proposals and securing beamtime; demonstrated leadership or significant involvement in beamline experiments, including organizing, overseeing, or supporting experimental setup and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to write proposals and secure research funding.

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

Position Information

This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years.  If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

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 values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

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 cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

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