Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory Technical Specialist

Requisition Id 16620


Overview:

The Nuclear and Radiological Protection Division (NRPD) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a Technical Specialist for the Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory within the Nuclear Measurements and Analytical Services (NMAS) Group.

ORNL is a world leader in advanced science and technology research involving several nonreactor nuclear facilities, accelerators, and the High Flux Isotope Reactor which involve a complex range of internal and external radiological hazards that are managed to protect more than 3,000 researchers and operations staff involved in the Nuclear Research and Isotope Production Mission. The Radioanalytical Services Team is responsible for maintaining Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP) accreditation for the in vitro radiobioassay analytical program and providing specialty measurement capabilities as an essential part of the ORNL Radiological Protection Program.

The primary focus of this position is to provide technical direction for the Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory for the purpose of providing accurate, prompt, and high-quality analytical results for radiobioassay in vitro analyses that are necessary for occupational radiological internal dose assessment.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

The Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory Technical Specialist position requires a solid understanding of safe work practices for radiochemistry and low-level radiation detection/counting principles. The Technical Specialist serves as the subject matter expert and provides day-to-day direction of all Counting Laboratory operations. The position is responsible for providing technical and quality assurance support to ensure that all counting instrumentation is maintained, calibrated, upgraded as necessary, etc. Instrumentation includes alpha analyst system (over 100 chambers/detectors), low background gas flow proportional counters, liquid scintillation counters, and gamma spectroscopy system.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Maintain calibration and performance of all Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory instrumentation.
• Investigate/troubleshoot instrument performance issues and equipment failures.
• Maintain Counting Laboratory operations, processes, and procedures to ensure compliance with DOELAP requirements.
• Perform routine counting operations when needed for samples submitted to the Radioanalytical Counting Laboratory.
• Review/approve sample measurement data and interface with Radioanalytical Services staff to resolve issues.
• Develop and manage software utilities for automating data calculations, instrument interfaces, and data exchanges.
• Integrate data with the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) used for in vitro operations.
• Periodically author, review, and/or update operating procedures and technical basis documentation to meet ORNL and group quality assurance requirements.
• Review and monitor quality control data. Document performance measurements in quality assurance summaries for the in vitro radiobioassay analytical program.
• Implement upgrades to Counting Laboratory instrumentation and processes, including the development of system configurations, calculations, workbooks, data exchange methods, operating procedures, performance validation & verification, etc.
• Coordinate records generation, handling, and disposition.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in health physics, nuclear engineering, physics, chemistry, or related technical field with at least 5 years of experience in a radioanalytical counting laboratory; or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• In-depth knowledge of nuclear counting concepts and methods, including alpha spectrometry, gas flow proportional counting, liquid scintillation counting, and gamma spectrometry.
• Experience with Microsoft Windows software systems; including Visual Basic for Applications, etc.
• Critical thinking ability to facilitate problem-solving and troubleshooting; must be able to undertake and quickly resolve problems while maintaining composure and situational control.
• Excellent organizational and work planning skills, able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, comfortable working in a hands-on laboratory setting.
• Strong interpersonal skills that foster positive interaction and teamwork with laboratory staff and management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in technical science discipline with a concentration in nuclear measurements with 5 or more years of experience.
• Experience with standard programming and/or scripting languages, such as Python, PowerShell, FORTRAN etc., especially in a mixed operating system environment; such as Windows, OpenVMS, Unix, etc.
• Advanced computing skills; including data reduction, analysis, and presentation.
• Hands-on experience with configuring and using alpha spectrometry, gamma spectrometry, and/or alpha/beta counting systems and associated software.
• Experience with relational databases and SQL.
• Prior experience working in a DOELAP accredited in vitro radiobioassay program.
• Familiarity with radioanalytical and/or radiobioassay laboratory workflow.

Special Requirements:

• Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

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.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.


About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

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ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.