Scientific Associate Senior Scientific Associate

We have an opening for a Scientific Associate/Sr. Scientific Associate in support of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Integrated Safety Team. This position provides advanced technical support to NIF operations involving the calibration testing maintenance troubleshooting and application of radiation detection chemical and radiochemical analytical systems while following ES&H and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) requirements.

This role works closely with NIF Radiological Operations management Radiological Control Technicians the Radiation Calibration Laboratory Industrial Hygiene Instrumentation Laboratory and other LLNL stakeholders. The position is within the Analytical Services & Instrumentation Division of the Technical Services Department of the Environment Safety & Health (ES&H) Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will:

• Collaborate with scientists and high-level technical personnel to plan execute and interpret technical experiments data and processes.
• Analyze and interpret complex analytical data report results identify problems and develop approaches to resolve technical issues.
• Operate calibrate maintain and troubleshoot analytical and detection instrumentation including liquid scintillation counters gamma and alpha spectroscopy systems beryllium fluorometers continuous air monitors and portable radiological and industrial hygiene instruments.
• Follow established QA/QC programs identify non-conformances recommend improvements and maintain complete accurate compliant records in accordance with regulatory LLNL and NIF and Photon Science Directorate requirements.
• Document analytical and radiological results in systems such as Survey Information Management System STAR and/or other required databases; write or revise technical documentation procedures and work instructions to improve safety quality and operational effectiveness.
• Work independently with minimal direction exercising judgment and discretion with moderate to high programmatic or safety impact and serve as a technical liaison with facility clients internal ES&H partners and technical organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the 302.2 level

• Lead analytical method development for relevant Programmatic needs.
• Provide back-up management of the Hazardous Material Management Area as needed.
• Provide leadership and supervision to staff as directed by the NIF Technician Supervisors including performance review mentoring and training.
• Support NIF sealed radioactive source inventories and act as NIF Source Ordering and Accountability Records System (SOARS) lead.

Qualifications :

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Bachelors degree in a scientific or technical field or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience operating calibrating maintaining and troubleshooting radiological chemical and analytical instrumentation.
• Experience analyzing complex technical data and maintaining QA/QC and calibration records.
• Working knowledge of radiation fundamentals and experience handling radioactive materials and sources.
• Familiarity with ES&H QA/QC and regulatory standards applicable to analytical and radiological operations.
• Strong organizational analytical written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with judgment and discretion in a high-hazard operational environment.
• Ability to become medically qualified to wear respiratory and personal protective equipment.
• Ability to obtain Radiological Controls Technician qualification.

Additional Qualifications at the 302.2 level

• Highly advanced technical expertise in one or more scientific or analytical disciplines (e.g. radiation detection radiation safety radiochemistry spectroscopy etc.).
• Ability to develop and apply analytical methods relevant to NIF laboratory needs or specialized techniques for unique or complex applications.
• Experience providing supervision technical leadership mentoring or training to other technical staff.
• Experience leading or independently executing highly complex technical projects with significant safety or programmatic impact.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience supporting high-hazard or classified Department of Energy (DOE) research environments with work control processes such as NIF.
• Advanced experience with radiation detection systems laboratory instrumentation and calibration equipment.
• Experience with SOARS sealed source accountability or hazardous/radioactive material inventories.
• Experience as a DOE or NIF Radiological Controls Technician.

Additional Information :

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit  Clearance

  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

  Pre-Employment Drug Test

  External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time