Post Doctorate RA – Actinide Chemistry

Overview

At PNNL,our core capabilities are dividedamongmajor departments that werefer to as Directorates within the Lab,focused on a specific area of scientific research orother function, with its own leadership teamand dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technologydirectoratesinclude National Security,Earthand Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment.

The Energy and Environment Directoratedeliversscience and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system;

and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Nuclear Sciences Division,part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, delivers science and technology innovations for the environment, energy, and national security. At a time when complex challenges areemergingon many fronts, we address some of the most challenging national and international nuclear issues. This includes providing technological solutions that protect the public health and safety around nuclear facilities, developing durable new materials for extreme nuclear environments, innovating new nuclear processes for the safety and security of the nation, and delivering new approachesfor accelerating environmental cleanup of nuclear sites.

The division’s capabilities and efforts are focused on environmental management of nuclear sites, nuclear regulatory processes, national nuclear security, and advancing nuclear energy.

The Nuclear Chemistry and Engineering Group advances national missions in nuclear materials stewardship, non‑proliferation, the nuclear fuel life cycle, environmental cleanup, national security, and advanced energy production. Our work spans radiochemistry, separation science, and irradiated materials research—supporting the beneficial use of nuclear materials and radionuclides in fields including medicine, industry, and energy. Through strong academic collaborations and high‑quality fundamental and applied science, we are developing innovative solutions for critical materials recovery, isotopic separations, and radio chemical process development.

We are seeking recent doctoral graduates or soon-to-be graduates to join our Separation Science capability. As a member of our multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to hands‑on radio chemical and separation science research. As a Postdoctoral Research

Associate, your responsibilities may include:

• Perform hands‑on manipulation of radiological materials in a nuclear facility.
• Conduct wet chemistry experiments, including liquid‑liquid solvent extraction and ion exchange.
• Gain proficiency and confidence for independent radiological lab work.
• Accurately document experimental protocols and organize data in spreadsheets or databases.
• Communicate scientific results clearly to team members and collaborators.

Prior experience with separations and radiological materials is not required, but a willingness to learn to safely and effectively perform work with radiological materials and a strong fundamental background in coordination chemistry is essential.

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, health physics, engineering, or a combination of experience and Ph.D. in a related STEM field
• Experience with chemical and physical characterization methods such as:
  • Infrared spectroscopy
  • NMR spectroscopy
  • Electrochemical methods
  • Gamma spectroscopy
• Separations chemistry
• Experience in coordination chemistry
• Demonstrated commitment to safe operations within a chemistry laboratory
• Technical writing skills