Materials Scientist 2 - Glass Waste Forms - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

**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 Nuclear Sciences Division within the Energy & Environment Directorate is currently seeking a materials scientist or similar who possess an understanding of nuclear waste glass properties, formulation, and processing to join its Radiological Materials group. The Radiological Materials (RM) group is a world leader in development and testing of materials for immobilization of nuclear and hazardous wastes. Specific areas of noted expertise are in formulation, synthesis, and characterization of vitreous and ceramic materials. RM is looking to hire a Scientist/Engineer 2 (SE2) with a background in materials science/chemical/engineering science to help develop and advance formulations of waste forms and processes to immobilize nuclear wastes. The successful candidate will be an integral member of an inter-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians to plan, execute scope, evaluate data, and document/publish results. An emphasis will be placed on developing stable waste forms and their physical and chemical properties to develop advanced glass, glass ceramic waste forms capable of immobilizing nuclear wastes. **Responsibilities** Responsibilities Include: + Spans fundamental materials science to applied materials engineering. + Synthesizes and studies the structures and physical/chemical properties of various natural, synthetic, and composite materials including metals, alloys, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, rubber, glass, and combinations of these materials. + Studies the structures of materials from atomic to large length scales and performs short- and long-term characterization, modeling, or testing of these materials to understand their behavior and determine ways to improve them or develop new materials with specific properties. + Develops individual steps and combined processes for manufacturing, joining, finishing, treating, and strengthening materials. + Develops computational models of materials that describe structures, properties, and performance of materials. Specific research areas include physics, chemistry, materials science, materials engineering, glass science, ceramic science, metallurgy, manufacturing and process engineering, corrosion science, and polymer science. The successful SE2 candidate will be responsible for helping to develop and execute experimental plans to synthesize and evaluate the performance of various ceramic materials based on formulations and processing of high temperature waste forms suitable to immobilize nuclear wastes and perform studies to understand the properties of these materials. We are seeking a candidate with a background nuclear or chemical engineering to apply machine learning and optimization to topic areas related to defense waste storage and disposal. The candidate will assist in the materials design, model development, production of test samples, performing of experiments, and writing of small sections for inclusion in reports and journal papers. The SE2 candidate will work with close supervision by senior engineers and scientists The position requires the ability to apply a strong disciplined approach to task planning, execution, and reporting. The candidate will be expected to prepare high quality technical reports and presentations that communicate the objective, process, results, and conclusions in a traceable, defensible manner. The candidate will focus on developing tools and software to enhance database management, streamline maintenance processes, and leverage machine learning to predict material properties. They will also develop programming solutions to accelerate data analysis, optimize data processing, and improve modeling routines for better prediction accuracy and uncertainty management in material formulation. The successful candidate will: + Mentor and oversee technicians and students + Adhere to strict quality, security, and safety requirements + Work with non-sensitive and sensitive information as appropriate for individual projects and the incumbent should demonstrate an ability to manage sensitive business situations **Qualifications** Minimum Qualifications: + BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR- + MS/MA -OR- + PhD Preferred Qualifications: + PhD in materials science, materials engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field; or, Masters in materials science, materials engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field plus 5 years of related work or educational experience + Demonstrated experience in a field relevant to nuclear waste glass properties, formulation, and processing + Member in a professional society/community + Knowledge of NQA-1 Quality Assurance requirements and a demonstrated ability to apply quality assurance principles to test planning, execution and documentation of testing and analysis activities + Experience with data management, user-interface developments, programing languages (e.g., Python), machine learning libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, sklearn), and optimization packages (e.g., Gekko, CasADi) is desired. + Knowledge of glass formulation strategies for nuclear waste vitrification, expertise of the role those components play in the vitrification matrix, and modeling of glass component specific effects are preferred. **Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment** + High temperature laboratory-based materials synthesis and characterization; potential exposure to hazardous chemicals; potential exposure to controlled levels of ionizing radiation + Experimental work involves exposure radiological materials and environment and typical laboratory chemicals and equipment that are appropriately assessed and managed to prevent exposing staff to hazards + Would need to become a Radiological Worker II to be able to conduct radioactive materials testing in radioactive designated areas. **Additional Information** Not applicable. **Testing Designated Position** 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** 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. Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards) **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. **Minimum Salary** USD $96,000.00/Yr. **Maximum Salary** USD $144,000.00/Yr.