Scientist Jobs in New Mexico

What You Will Do

The Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC) Group within Chemistry Division is looking for a Scientist to join the Mass Spectrometry team. The position serves the Laboratory's core national security mission areas of weapons science and threat reduction.

The successful applicant should expect to participate in sample preparations, separations, and data analysis using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) instruments on actinide elements specifically plutonium, uranium, and americium materials. The selected applicant will be expected to work on data reduction, reporting, troubleshooting and procedure writing. Due to the on-the-job training (OJT) requirements for this position, the selected applicants will be expected to complete the required training to become a glovebox operator. Occasionally the position will require the applicant to apply scientific principles to address technical problems, develop novel techniques or principles, and analyze data or outcomes from theoretical or experimental research in the area of TIMS and ICPMS. The Scientist 3 level will be recognized as a technical expert in actinide measurements using TIMS/ICPMS instrumentation.

This Position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Scientist 2 $104,100-$172,200

• Contributes to improvement of the QA/QC posture of the TIMS task area through development of analytical methods with better accuracy and precision.
• Works unsupervised on TIMS/ICPMS multi-collector instruments supporting individual projects and/or contributes to larger team efforts. Makes scientific judgments that affect project direction but often seeks feedback or receives review. May contribute to milestones and objective of multiple projects.
• Develops new methods, techniques, or approaches to address critical technical problems in high-fidelity measurements of plutonium, uranium, and/or americium using multi-collector TIMS/ICPMS instrumentation. Communicates results through appropriate channels.
• Contributes to measurement of routine samples for various customers and to the improvement of the analytical processes to facilitate faster turn-around of results.
• Mentors junior staff and peers in technical and professional growth. May mentor students and/or post-docs. Train junior staff on operation of TIMS/ICPMS instruments and in the preparation/separation of actinide elements for measurements using these instruments.
• Maintains state-of-the-art technical expertise and knowledge within mass spectrometry task-area and develops new skills in related disciplines. Performs peer review within own organization/discipline.
• Effective communications both oral and written with various collaborating teams.
• Work in a team environment with collaborative methods and interfaces.
• Manage time effectively with changing priorities.

Scientist 3 $125,200-$211,300

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at the Scientist 3 level:

• Develops technical approaches, using creativity in applying standard practices and procedures, and leads technical decisions, including selections of technical alternatives, for assigned work.
• Evaluates instrumental data for uncertainty and in the evaluation/interpretation of TIMS/ICPMS analytical data.
• Troubleshoots TIMS/ICPMS instruments based on data from traceable standards collected as part of routine measurements.
• Contributes to the development of journal papers and technical reports.
• Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives and may contribute to the development of technical standards.
• May attain additional certifications, qualifications, and/or professional recognitions.
• Maintains/improves/streamlines work execution in collaboration with others on the team.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Significant knowledge of analytical chemistry and/or mass spectrometry techniques acquired by experiences, certification and/or formal education
• Significant knowledge and experience in operation and/or troubleshooting of multi-collector instruments including TIMS and ICPMS instruments for high-fidelity measurements and development of analytical techniques using these instruments.
• Experience reviewing data collection, record keeping and report generation
• Demonstrated experience working independently
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including technical communications
• Knowledge and experience in developing and implementing technical research in TIMS/ICPMS measurements and development projects
• Knowledge and experience in formulating and presenting results to technical audiences
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including a full-face respirator.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which usually requires US citizenship.
• Ability and willingness to perform work in a rigorously controlled work environment utilizing the principles of formality of operations and work authorization.
• Ability to follow procedures and guidelines in accordance with stringent quality assurance and quality control requirements

Additional Job Requirements for higher level title:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Demonstrated understanding of principles of scientific integrity relating to mass spectrometric measurements documented in peer-reviewed publications

Education/Experience at lower level: Positions requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

DOE Order 426.2A: Requires a Bachelor's of Science degree in engineering or a related science or technology, 2 years of job related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge and experience with performing analytical work on less than milligram quantities of nuclear materials, working in a clean-room environment and demonstrated experience of appropriate safe practices for mass spectrometry samples/standards.
• Thorough knowledge and experience in developing and implementing technical research and development projects
• Familiarity with working in a nuclear facility and performing activities with radioactive materials.
• Active DOE Q clearance.

Work Environment:

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants:

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications. Please also provide your current contact information. While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grown into the full salary band over time.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paid childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

426.2A: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2A, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.





Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.