What You Will Do

Los Alamos National Laboratory, Carlsbad Operations (LANL-CO) is seeking a candidate for a postdoctoral fellowship to elucidate the effects of radiolysis

on organic molecules that are being co-disposed with radionuclide elements at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

Concerns that organic molecules, such as EDTA, citrate, oxalate, and acetate, may complex with radionuclide elements,

especially plutonium, persist. Because of the energetic radioactive decay of radionuclides,

radiolysis may affect the lifetime of the metal (radionuclide)-organic species in solution.

In short, the objective of this study is to determine the half-life of plutonium- or americium-organic species at WIPP.

The successful candidate for this postdoctoral fellowship will be from the fields of chemistry,

physics, geochemistry, or health physics and the position will be fully funded for two years.

Broad and deep laboratory experience is required and training with radionuclide elements is considered a plus.

LANL-CO possesses XRD, SEM, IC, LSC and three anoxic glove boxes (plus a glove box for performing microbiological experiments) and

workers have access to equipment and facilities at the main LANL campus in northern New Mexico.

The LANL-CO laboratory is in the quaint town of Carlsbad, New Mexico, that boasts year-round swimming and marine activities in the

Pecos River, hiking in the nearby Guadalupe Mountains, and spelunking in Carlsbad Caverns, part of the National Parks system. What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.

• Demonstrated experience with technical communication and writing skills in English.

• Demonstrated experience conducting independent research evidenced by publications, technical reports, and presentations in an academic or national laboratory setting.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of multidisciplinary work.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of appropriate safe practices for technical work.

• Must be highly self-motivated to drive forward the research independently with their own creative ideas, in addition to direction from the mentor's research priorities.

• Demonstrated creative and proactive approach to scientific problem solving.

Education: A Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, geochemistry, or health physics. The candidate must have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of the appointment and be within 5 years of completion of the Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications

• Specific expertise in the applications of method development for calorimetry, IC, ICP-MS, NMR, or other analytical techniques.

• Solid-state characterization experience, including but not limited to, XRD, SEM, TEM, and XPS.

• Knowledge and experience with synchrotron-based techniques such as X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and Extended X-ray Fine Structure (EXAFS) and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis.

• Knowledge and experience operating and maintaining oxygen-free glovebox environments.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Carlsbad, NM.

Work Environment: Occasional domestic travel.

Essential Job Functions: Reading vision, ability to speak, ability to discriminate speech, sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching down, pressing, pushing, and pulling with hands and arms, lifting 20-30 pounds.

Salary: Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $94,500. For more information go to Postdoc Program website at https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php .

Note to Applicants:

Please send a cover letter (guideline: 1 - 2 pages) addressing (point-by-point) how you meet all the minimum job requirements and as many of the desired skills listed when applying for the position.

A current C.V. with the minimum following information/sections is also required:

• Educational background; degree dates; GPA with scale; name of advisors.

• Work experience.

• Competitive honors and awards.

• Relevant extracurricular activities.

• Invited presentations (posters and invited talks); grants; patents; peer-reviewed publications; non-peer-reviewed publications.

• Names and complete contact information for four (4) references. References will not be contacted without permission from the applicant.

• Evaluation of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Only complete applications with a cover letter and C.V. will be considered.

For additional technical inquiries, contact Dr. Jonthan Icenhower (jicenhower@lanl.gov).

Where You Will Work

The main work will be conducted at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Carlsbad Operations office located in Carlsbad, NM.

• Postdoctoral benefits packages include:

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

• Dental and vision insurance

• Free basic life and disability insurance

• Paid maternity and parental leave

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

• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

• Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

*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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg1-pgchg) for additional information.

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.

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 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.

Incentive Compensation Program: For general program information refer to the Student Programs web page: https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/student-internships/index.php

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 or preference, 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.