Scientist Jobs in Richland, WA
Scientist jobs in Richland, Washington are available now at employers like Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Planned Systems International and other local employers, from entry level to senior. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Scientist jobs
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.
The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, 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 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
Click Here For Rockstar Rewards
The successful candidate will work with senior team members as a contributor to the broad program of NMP group research. The candidate’s contributions will derive from their ability to propose technical alternatives on existing projects and efforts, ultimately leading to the development of new proposal concepts. The candidate will work independently to complete recurring assignments and define/lead project work at a small task/project level, reporting results to the larger team on time and within budget. They will be expected to contribute to proposals as well as embrace expectations for quality, safety, and security in all aspects of the job.
The materials scientist will be responsible for applying advanced knowledge of thermal analysis techniques to investigate and evaluate the properties and behavior of materials under various temperature conditions, including natural, synthetic, and composite materials such as salts, glass, metals, alloys, ceramics, and combinations of these materials. The successful candidate will perform comprehensive characterization of products derived from solid, liquid, and gas phase reactions, utilizing a range of analytical and spectroscopic methods to assess material composition, structure, and performance. Specific research areas include physics, chemistry, materials science, glass science, ceramic science, and corrosion science.
- BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
- MS/MA -OR-
- PhD
Preferred Qualifications:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
- Demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team member
- Experience with radioactive materials and nuclear science/technology
- Experience with halide molten salts, ceramics, and glasses
- Experience with processing of actinide or actinide surrogate materials
- Experience with thermal analysis instrumentation and methods (TGA-DTA, TMA, DSC, Calvet-type calorimetry)
- Experience with solid/gas phase materials characterization (XRD, RGA)
- Experience with radiological fume hoods and glove-boxes
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.
Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
- Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.
Testing Designated Position (TDP):This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
About PNNL:At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. 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.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, 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.
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.
For foreign national candidates:
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.
The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, 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 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
Click Here For Rockstar Rewards
The successful candidate will work with senior team members as a contributor to the broad program of NMP group research. The candidate’s contributions will derive from their ability to propose technical alternatives on existing projects and efforts, ultimately leading to the development of new proposal concepts. The candidate will work independently to complete recurring assignments and define/lead project work at a small task/project level, reporting results to the larger team on time and within budget. They will be expected to contribute to proposals as well as embrace expectations for quality, safety, and security in all aspects of the job.
The materials scientist will be responsible for applying advanced knowledge of thermal analysis techniques to investigate and evaluate the properties and behavior of materials under various temperature conditions, including natural, synthetic, and composite materials such as salts, glass, metals, alloys, ceramics, and combinations of these materials. The successful candidate will perform comprehensive characterization of products derived from solid, liquid, and gas phase reactions, utilizing a range of analytical and spectroscopic methods to assess material composition, structure, and performance. Specific research areas include physics, chemistry, materials science, glass science, ceramic science, and corrosion science.
- BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
- MS/MA -OR-
- PhD
Preferred Qualifications:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
- Demonstrated ability to work individually and as a team member
- Experience with radioactive materials and nuclear science/technology
- Experience with halide molten salts, ceramics, and glasses
- Experience with processing of actinide or actinide surrogate materials
- Experience with thermal analysis instrumentation and methods (TGA-DTA, TMA, DSC, Calvet-type calorimetry)
- Experience with solid/gas phase materials characterization (XRD, RGA)
- Experience with radiological fume hoods and glove-boxes
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.
Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
- Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.
Testing Designated Position (TDP):This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
About PNNL:At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. 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.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, 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.
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.
For foreign national candidates:
See All 12 Scientist Jobs in Richland
Find roles in Richland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Scientist JobsScientist Job Market in Richland
Who's Hiring
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory10
- Planned Systems International2
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research10
Scientist Jobs in Richland: Frequently Asked Questions
How many scientist jobs are there in Richland?
There are 12+ scientist openings in Richland, Washington on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. New positions post regularly as Richland employers hire.
Which companies hire scientists in Richland?
Employers hiring scientists in Richland include Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Planned Systems International, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026.
Are there remote scientist jobs in Richland?
Yes. About 0% of scientist openings tied to Richland are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The rest are on-site roles based in and around Richland.
Which industries hire the most scientists in Richland?
Richland scientist roles concentrate in Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026.
Related Jobs in Washington
See All 12 Scientist Jobs in Richland
Find roles in Richland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Scientist Jobs