Postdoctoral Research Associate - Chemometrics

Requisition Id 12395 

Overview: 

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will support the Isotope Applications Research Group (IARG) in the Radioisotope Science and Technology Division (RSTD), Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the areas of chemometrics and data science. Specifically, this role involves the implementation of multivariate data analysis techniques to provide actionable information in support of Pu-238 production for deep space exploration.

Established in 2020, the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate is strengthening Oak Ridge National Laboratory's leadership in isotope production and enrichment technology innovation. ISED is guiding the Lab's pursuit of the fundamental science and technology that broadens the application of isotopes for energy, environmental, medical, and national security purposes. These efforts are made possible through the High Flux Isotope Reactor, the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center, ORNL's other nuclear facilities, and an assemblage of world-leading scientists and engineers.  Please visit https://www.ornl.gov/directorate/isotopes for more information about ISED.

The IARG is involved in advancing radioisotope applications for medical, industrial, research and national security applications. RSTD is a global leader in actinide science, delivering innovations in isotope production technology, enabling ORNL to produce and rapidly deliver radioisotopes for science, medicine, industry, and security. The IARG works closely with other groups within the RSTD as well as researchers in other directorates across ORNL to deliver on our R&D mission. This position within the IARG will support ongoing R&D efforts related to using multivariate analysis and data science techniques for radioisotope production. This position will focus on supporting the production of plutonium-238 as heat source material for deep space missions. The candidate will support the construction of multivariate regression and classification models, creation of data sets for training models, transition of data science tools into routine implementation during Pu-238 production activities and disseminating results for reports/peer reviewed publications. The candidate may also support other synergistic efforts across the lab as the opportunity arises. The successful candidate will work with experienced scientists, engineers, and technicians to support R&D efforts in these areas with a focus on exploring opportunities to leverage chemometric and data science techniques for Pu-238 production.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Collect and organize data sets for multivariate analysis
• Build multivariate regression and classification models
• Implement experimental approaches, perform complex measurements to produce multivariate data sets, execute the necessary analysis, and interpret experimental results
• Participate in project planning and execution
• Publish innovations, findings and reports in relevant conferences, journals, and symposia.
• Participate in project reviews, including presenting to internal and external technical review committees.
• Ensure compliance with Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H) and QA requirements.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical or Nuclear Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with an emphasis in Analytical Chemistry or Spectroscopy, completed within the last 5 years.
• This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with data science techniques, particularly for chemometric analysis
• Previous experience with performing optical spectroscopy measurements and interpreting multivariate data
• Evidence of experience in experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation through peer-reviewed publications
• Research relevant to optical spectroscopy and multivariate chemometrics
• Experience with machine learning concepts
• Research in the applications of advanced optical spectroscopy techniques for monitoring chemical systems
• Experience with training or teaching
• Experience with data analytics (e.g., Python), specifically handling large and complex data sets to understand observed phenomena
• 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

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to [email protected] with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

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

Special Requirements

Export control, no clearance:  This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license. 

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, 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: [email protected] .

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.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email [email protected].

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.