
The Savannah River National Laboratory is seeking an experienced Plutonium Scientist to lead research & development activities related to the purification, processing, and characterization of actinide metals, and assist in the business growth of the division. In this role, the candidate may oversee activities focused on elucidating the impact of processing conditions and aging on material properties/performance, and/or design and testing of various prototype systems to optimize processing of plutonium metal in support of defense programs.
In these activities the candidate will work collaboratively as part of a small high-performance team, demonstrate effective communication with others, and apply technical expertise in his/her field of specialization to solve complex scientific and engineering problems. A successful candidate will also be able to assist in project planning/execution, mentor junior scientists, and have a demonstrated history of securing funding, preparing technical documents, and interfacing with sponsors.
Responsibilities include:
Ensure work is performed safely, responsibly, securely, and in accordance with laboratory principles, policies, and procedures.
Lead and partner on proposal teams, as well as manage technical and programmatic aspects of successfully won projects.
Lead R&D activities to deliver high-quality creative and innovative solutions to complex scientific and engineering problems.
Contribute to intellectual property by developing technical reports, publications, and patents.
Mentor junior scientists and engineers, postdoctoral researchers, and student interns.
Maintain a national presence at technical meetings, both internal to DOE and through professional organizations.
Minimum Qualifications:
M.S. or PhD in science or engineering with 10 or more years of experience in materials research.
Established research record in a relevant field as evidenced by a publication record of technical reports, peer -reviewed articles, presentations, and/or granted patents.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance for which, U.S. citizenship is legally required.
Preferred Qualifications:
An advanced degree in metallurgy, material science & engineering, chemistry, or related field with relevant research or industrial laboratory experience.
Experience with handling, purifying, processing, and/or characterizing plutonium metal.
Experience with modelling, simulation, machine learning, and/or artificial intelligence.
"We put science to work!"
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state of the art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken SC, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation’s environmental, energy, and national security challenges.
Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA) is constantly assessing trends to provide the best possible benefits to our workforce. We also negotiate cost effective premiums that will meet the needs of our evolving workforce.
Some of the *Benefits offered to employees include:
*Benefits vary based upon employment status
For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at www.srnl.doe.gov
BSRA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. BSRA 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. Please email us at SRNLRecruiting@srnl.doe.gov with any questions regarding the hiring process or to request an accommodation.

The Savannah River National Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy - Office of Environmental Management multidiscipline research and development center, where accomplished scientists and engineers solve the nation’s most challenging environmental and security problems.
With a staff of more than 1,100 dedicated and safety-focused professionals, SRNL protects the nation by applying science to global security, the environment and the energy economy. The laboratory uses its unique scientific and engineering expertise to develop and deploy practical solutions with high returns on investment for the nation. SRNL innovations include advances in energy storage technology, materials science, and nuclear non-proliferation. The laboratory also provides field-proven expertise for environmental cleanup and managing the nation’s nuclear materials.
SRNL conducts research in specialized laboratories for the safe study and handling of radioactive materials, laboratories for ultra-sensitive measurement and analysis of radioactive materials, internationally accredited analytical laboratories, and the only radiological crime investigation laboratory in the U.S.
Working with an established network of industry, academic, and public partners, SRNL has advanced scientific discovery and commercial innovation. SRNL also fuels the nation’s economy by licensing its patented technologies to private companies for commercialization.
Whether it is optimizing chemical processes to safely dispose of legacy nuclear waste, collaborating with partners on grid security or using its expertise in nuclear materials science to make the world safer, SRNL works every day to secure the nation’s future.