Senior Scientist - Radiochemist

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.   

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

• Bachelor’s in calculus-based technical (STEM) field plus at least 5 years relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• PhD in Radiochemistry or related field preferred.
• Ability to builds teaming relationships with technical and other company organizations.
• Executes work in a disciplined manner to demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, and
  MSTS policies and procedures.
• Extensive experience handling nuclear materials, especially unsealed sources and special nuclear materials. 
• Proficient with material characterization instrumentation (i.e. gamma spectrometry, electron microscopy, and mass spectroscopy. 
• Familiar with radiation detection instruments.
• Strong interest in nuclear forensics and nuclear nonproliferation.
• Ability to exercise high degree of accuracy in drafting technical documents.
• Ability to execute work in a disciplined manner to demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize and schedule multiple activities in the most efficient manner and meet required deadlines.
• Be team-oriented with good communication stills. Able to work closely with a diverse group of scientists and engineers.
• The primary work location will be at the Nevada National Security Site (located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada).
• Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday (subject to change).
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $101,524.80 - $152,297.60.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity. 

The Senior Scientist will report to the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) Programs Director within the Global Security Directorate. The DNN Program Office leads integrated enterprise-level R&D and T&E projects to advance the science and capabilities of nuclear explosion monitoring, nuclear material production detection, and nuclear forensics. Developing capabilities include remote detection and data analytical techniques for ground truth measurements, as well as development of adaptive testbeds for rapid threat characterization and countermeasure development. 

Key Responsibilities

• Function as Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the Data & Diagnostics Group, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Directorate (DNN).
• Function as technical lead for development of radiochemistry program within DNN. 
• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans that are integrated with mission requirements in support of future project execution.
• Design, implement, and evaluate experimental workflows for characterization of nuclear materials.
• Lead execution of program/project activities and data collection.
• Develop and implement strategies to identify, manage and mitigate risk.
• Research, extract, analyze, and compile technical data.
• Support multiple projects at NNSS and develop collaborations between the NNSS, DOE National Labs, and universities. Integrate with partner and interfacing directorates/programs/projects to ensure collaborative and comprehensive approach to program execution. 
• Draft technical reports, presentations, and publications. Present results in papers, project meetings, and conferences. Prepare and defend proposals for additional projects.