Mass Spectrometry Chemist - R&D Associate

Requisition Id15913

Overview:

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) is assembling a team of Research Faculty and ORNL staff to collaborate in Radiopharmaceuticals as part of the UT-ORII Convergent Research Initiative on the Development and Advancement of Radiopharmaceutical Therapies (DART). UT-ORII was founded in 2019 by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to help the US maintain prominence as a global leader in innovation and discovery, and to create a robust talent pipeline in areas of growing national need and demand. UT-ORII is funded by the Department of Energy and the State of Tennessee.

Join us at UT-ORII, where your career will thrive in collaboration with esteemed researchers from both the UT and ORNL. This early-career position will be located at ORNL as a Research Professional staff and as a Joint-Research Faculty at ORNL (JFO) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). As an integral part of the team, you will engage in a dynamic blend of activities, from theoretical explorations and laboratory experiments to crafting comprehensive reports and impactful proposals. Your innovative ideas will find a home here, shaping ongoing research projects and leaving a lasting mark. Your role goes beyond the lab. Mentorship will be a key aspect, guiding and inspiring graduate and undergraduate students. As a valued, emerging researcher in the ORNL Physical Sciences Directorate and the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, you'll have access to a rich network of resources, including seminars, training opportunities, and collaborations that will propel your career forward.

Specifically, we are seeking an R&D Associate who will focus on the development of high precision methods for isotopic and trace analysis to support the development and understanding of novel technologies such as nanocarriers and novel protein-chelator combinations alone and in complex biological environments. The candidate will also focus on precision isotopic and trace analysis on other biological nuclear, and environmental samples. Candidate will help perform research to develop prototype, cutting-edge devices and mass spectrometry methodologies and/or introduction systems to address challenging analytical problems. A specific interest in bio-inorganic analytical chemistry (mass spectrometry) is preferred. Candidate should have experience / expertise with quadrupole and time-of-flight-based inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrumentation and non-mass spectrometric approaches including scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and flow image analysis-based approaches. This position resides in Chemical and Isotopic Mass Spectrometry (CIMS) Group in the Nuclear Analytical Chemistry (NAC) Section, Chemicals Sciences Division (CSD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As part of our research team, you will be responsible for developing new research focus areas while strengthening current programs and capabilities. In this role you will work closely with the Group Leader and other team members to identify sponsors and programs to seek out new opportunities. As R&D staff, you will be responsible for the development of proposals and the publication of scientific papers. The ideal candidate will lead current projects and develop high precision mass spectrometry protocols. The R&D focus areas can include, but are not limited to, sample introduction for solid and/or liquid samples, collision and mass shifting technology, isotopic analysis, determination of novel material signatures, single cell or partial detection, high throughput analysis, age dating, standard production, and how to apply the information to a system. Your work will contribute to the advancement of material characterizations for trace and ultra trace material using a suite of high precision analytical methodologies. The candidate should have some familiarity with inorganic mass spectrometry sample preparation.

The (CIMS) group has extensive history in the analysis of material dating back to the early 1960s. The team is in the Ultra Trace Forensic Science Center which houses a suite of advanced and modern laboratories. The facility contains over 10000 square feet of cleanroom space for separations and sample preparation. In addition, there are higher level laboratories across campus for various applications. The separation laboratories feature unique automated separation systems, and sample handling infrastructure. In addition, the group currently has multiple MC-ICP-MS, TIMS, triple quad, glow discharge, IRMS, and a wide variety of sample induction system.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Integrate with the UT-ORII DART initiative for radiopharmaceutical development and understanding
• Collaborate across institutions to advance research in DART
• Development of new and novel analysis protocols
• Analyze samples via ICP-MS (quadrupole and time-of-flight)
• Employ novel introduction systems including laser ablation and single cell / particle
• Independently plan, design, and execute experiments.
• Lead and participate in collaboration with other scientists and technical personnel in a fast-paced, flexible work environment.
• Maintain effective communications concerning scientific efforts both internal and external to the laboratory, including publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and presentation of results at scientific meetings.
• Participate/lead in the initiation of new research directions and development of research proposals to compete for internal and external funding.
• Travel will be required to brief sponsors, collect materials in the field, or to attend scientific conferences.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in Geology, Geochemistry, Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Cosmochemistry, Oceanographic, Biochemistry, Volcanology or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in high precision, trace and/or ultra trace analysis by mass spectrometry (could include time as a post-doctoral researcher).
• An active, current, Q security clearance is required
• Experience with plasma-based ionization mass spectrometry.
• Experience with time-of-flight mass analyzers
• Experience preparing and handling mass spectrometry solutions.
• Expert understanding and operation of mass spectrometry instrumentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated collaborative research experience (academic, industry, government agencies)
• Experience with mass spectrometry or radiochemistry analysis.
• Experience in instrument setup, trouble shooting, and repair.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:

Letters of Recommendation:

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to psdrecruit@ornl.gov.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

Visa Sponsorship:

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Q Clearance:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

More About UT-ORII:

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute is a partnership of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and UT created to prepare interdisciplinary leaders in energy, science, and technology and develop a world-class workforce for industry, government, and academia that will drive innovation and create the industries of the future. More information is available at University of Tennessee - Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (utorii.com). Today's energy economy is driven by disruptive technologies and swift change. The US is in a global competition for jobs, talent, and investment. To successfully compete, we must develop leadership talent in research and development (R&D), encourage entrepreneurship, and create an educational environment that promotes rapid innovation and attracts skilled professionals. Leveraging a 75-plus-year UT-ORNL partnership, UT and ORNL have developed joint institutes, joint facilities, interdisciplinary PhD programs, and comprehensive joint faculty arrangements, including 17 Governor's Chairs recruited for the significance of their impacts in their fields. UT-ORII's overall goal is to become a center for convergent research and talent development, helping maintain US prominence as a global innovation leader and providing tangible benefits to Tennessee

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.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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.

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.