Senior Radiochemist

Talascend is currently seeking a Senior Radiochemist for a remote, contract opportunity with our client.

Overview

The role centers on experimental radiochemistry supporting the development and execution of laboratory activities critical to the MCFR program, beginning with actinide salt synthesis, molten salt property measurements, and radiochemical analysis, and evolving toward the design and validation of salt chemistry systems supporting reactor demonstration and waste reduction technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and assist experiments, including as a Principal Investigator.
• Propose, develop and conduct process monitoring techniques in high temperature molten salts and gas streams containing fission products, design gas sorbent apparatus.
• Lead and assist in radiochemistry laboratory developments, including the design of flexible experimental chemistry capabilities to support R&D activities.
• Prepare technical reports, peer review manuscripts, intellectual property documents and conference presentations.
• Maintain laboratory procedures (e.g., calibration, analytical methods, notebook results preparation, usage documentation).
• Perform all work in compliance with site safety and radiation protection guidelines, including effective teamwork and communication with health physicists, authorized users and RSO.
• Emphasize safety in new and existing design and safe practices in all experimental activities.
• Assist in the training, developing, and mentoring of employees.
• Lead and assist in ensuring organization, housekeeping and effectiveness of R&D radiochemistry use areas and production facilities is always maintained at a high standard.
• Perform other general duties associated with position as member of radiochemistry team to ensure ongoing effectiveness and continuous improvement of R&D efforts.

Qualifications

• A doctoral level (PhD) degree in radiochemistry, chemistry, or equivalent disciplines with additional demonstrated hands-on laboratory experience and expertise in radiochemistry, chemical and radiochemical synthesis, and chemical separations.
• Demonstrated experience of bulk actinide and radiological material synthesis, processing or handling under controlled environments is required.

Requirements

• Extensive background of the chemistry of nuclear systems and radiochemistry relevant to the fuel cycle.
• Extensive background in radiochemistry relevant to advanced nuclear reactor development.
• Demonstrated leadership within multifunctional teams and in the execution of complex projects is desired.
• Demonstrated experience working in inert and moisture-free atmospheres, such as gloveboxes and Schlenk lines, and adapting equipment for use in such environments is compulsory.
• Expertise in characterization methods relevant to actinide compounds is needed.
• The characterization techniques include Raman Spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, TGA/DSC, XRD, alpha spectroscopy, gamma spectroscopy, and chromatography (IC, HPLC, TLC), and experience with at least four of these techniques is desired.
• Experience with planning, design and execution of electrochemical, spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical experiments is a plus.
• Experience demonstrating the highest standards with respect to safety and radiation protection in all work activities, particularly regarding NRC standards.
• Ability to understand requirements (regulations, codes and standards, etc.), incorporate them into documents, and provide associated guidance to personnel.
• Strong organizational and communication skills including technical writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to structure and plan basic and applied research in the radiochemistry and other areas relevant.

Shift

Hybrid with on-site four days per week. The ability to be physically present at the Everett, WA lab is a requirement.