Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Research Technician in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
Join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world.
You will work in a team environment within LANL's nuclear facility to manufacture product, support material movement, and support glove box operations. Most of the daily work is "hands-on" glove box work in support of plutonium processing. Processes at Los Alamos National Lab are performed using detailed operating procedures and work requires extensive knowledge and expertise following Conduct of Operations, nuclear criticality safety, material control and accountability, radiological safety, and environmental compliance requirements.
You will provide technical support for activities including research, analysis, development, design, assembly, modification, oversight, repair, and maintenance of a wide variety of equipment used in experimental work (e.g., electro/mechanical apparatus, optical devices, analytical instrumentation, gloveboxes, lasers, radiographic equipment, high vacuum and pressure systems, and experimental diagnostics). You will work in areas involving high consequences for safety (e.g., chemicals and radioactive materials). Your work may be directly related to national security objectives, requiring the individual protect and maintain sensitive or classified information. Responsibilities often develop into greater depth of knowledge in one functional area, or knowledge in more than one functional area, as one moves up in job level. You will work under general direction with fundamental understanding of the general and technical aspects of the job. You may work under general supervision in areas involving high consequences for safety. You will follow Standard Operating Procedures and/or Work Instructions to produce a quality product. This position requires knowledge of Conduct of Operations, nuclear criticality safety, radiological safety, material control and accountability and environmental compliance requirements.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Preparing samples and reagents for analyses.
Perform chemical processing; materials science; material processing and characterization; special nuclear material operations.
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and oversee repairs to analytical instruments.
Data acquisition, data manipulation, and decision making based on data analysis.
Work with supervision, specific and detailed instructions, and within established procedures, processes, requirements or specifications to perform work on well-defined task/project.
Safely hand radioactive materials and chemicals in gloveboxes; perform glovebox bagouts/drumouts and glove changes in respirator; follow Detailed Operating Procedures and follow formality of operations for conducting work in a Nuclear Facility; protect nuclear materials and classified information in a secure environment; perform transactions on the nuclear material accounting computer system; and conduct activities in accordance with environmental regulations.
Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. The successful candidate will maintain their required safety and security training, ensure compliance with safety and security requirements, and make safety and security an integral part of every task.
Providing general process and operational support, including nuclear criticality safety, material control and accountability, glove box maintenance, radiological protection, and respirator work.
Using a variety of typical hand tools and bench-top equipment.
Working with radioactive and hazardous materials.
Conduct waste packaging, labeling, documentation, staging and shipment in accordance with environmental regulations and Laboratory policies and procedures.
Writing and maintaining records, following detailed operating procedures and integrated work documents, and interacting with support organizations.
Be available to work in the Plutonium Facility.
Provide training and oversight for new technicians.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Experience in one or more of the following:
Technical work, such as chemical synthesis; chemical, biological, radiological materials handling; analytical procedures and methodology; materials characterization or testing; data acquisition.
Experience running, maintaining, or troubleshooting of instruments, or equipment for laboratory measurements (medical, chemical, biological).
Experience with common laboratory techniques: titrations, pH determination, balance operations, serial dilutions, UV-Vis-NIR, representative sampling.
Specialized training and knowledge for working in hazardous environments such as those involving high explosives, radiological or fissile materials, accelerators.
Test and design, such as reading instrument out puts, using digital test equipment, data analysis.
Experience using/following detailed instructions, guidelines, policies and/or operating procedures.
Demonstrated ability to actively collaborate in a high-performance team environment, through a willingness to express questions, concerns, and ideas in a group or one-on-one settings.
Demonstrated experience interacting and communicating both written and orally.
Ability to proactively work to assist others in achieving the organizations objectives. Ability to communicate findings and make recommendations.
Possess high attention to detail including strong organizational skills, analytical thinking, observation skills and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to work in a dynamic environment and adjust to changes.
Demonstrated knowledge and implementation of required safety practices for work assignments.
Ability to follow safeguards & security procedures in accordance with the Laboratory's Integrated Safety and Security Management (ISSM) practices utilizing guidelines, training, and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to work independently with both written and verbal instructions, procedures, plans and Laboratory requirements. Ability to perform complex tasks independently in a related technical specialty and exercise independent judgment.
Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of computer systems and applications (Word/Excel/PowerPoint).
Be available to work in the Plutonium Facility.
Ability to pass and maintain required training.
In depth understanding of Formality of Operations.
Must be able to acquire and maintain all required certifications and training related to work within Plutonium Facility such as Q Clearance, Human Reliability Program (HRP) certification, Glove box operator, Fissile Material Handler, etc.
Education/Experience: Position requires an associate degree in a STEM or related field and 3 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
DOE Order 426.2: Requires a High School Diploma.
Desired Qualifications:
Instrumentation Experience: Operation, calibration, and maintenance activities of various instruments (thermogravimetric analyzer - mass spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, surface area analyzer, particle size distribution analyzer, laser induced breakdown spectrometer, and x-ray fluorescence spectrometer) and non-destructive testing instruments (gamma spectroscopy, calorimetry, balance measurements, thermal neutron counting).
Experience working with radioactive materials.
Experience working in gloveboxes.
Experience with measurement control (control charts, method validations, calibration verification, uncertainty propagation, system trending).
Knowledge in computers, computer programming, and / or software applications used in R&D job function.
Active DOE Q Clearance.
Active HRP certification.
Location: This position will be in Los Alamos, NM.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position 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 2 years.
Note to Applicants:
For full consideration, submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.
Evaluation of applications will commence immediately.
This is a reoccurring job ad that does not have a date it will close.
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 the 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.
HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.
426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, 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 and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.