Organic Synthesis and Automation Academic Graduate Appointee

We have an opening for Academic Graduate Appointee to participate in projects in support of the Laboratorys national security mission. As part of a multi-disciplinary team within the Materials Science Division you will perform syntheses of organic precursors for energetic materials utilizing standard laboratory techniques as well as the incorporation and development of automated analytical tools and platforms.

This is a one-year appointment with the possibility of being extended to two years.

In this role you will:

• Synthesize organic small molecules at the bench scale.
• Utilize automated synthesis workstations microwave reactors and photoreactors for organic synthesis.
• Characterize synthesized products using a variety of analytical techniques including: HPLC DART-MS FTIR UV-Vis Raman TLC GCMS microscopy (optical and digital) melting point determination and NMR.
• Familiarize and utilize forward and retrosynthetic planning tools for synthesis such as SciFinder or Reaxys.
• Basic maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical instruments such as DART-MS FTIR NMR.
• Keep an accurate and detailed electronic laboratory notebook; generate organize and analyze experimental data; and participate in research planning. Prepare progress reports and presentations to supervisor/mentor and project teams.
• Provide technical support to engineers and scientists in research and development projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in Chemistry Chemical Engineering Materials Science or in a related field.
• Experience performing wide-ranging experiments in a chemistry laboratory setting.
• Knowledge of general laboratory fundamentals and best practices.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate technical information effectively with technicians peers and managers.
• Experience operating PC and/or Macintosh computers to collect analyze and document scientific results.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to work in a collaborative research environment and interact with a diverse set of scientists engineers technicians and other technical and administrative staff.

Qualifications we desire

• Experience in organic chemistry laboratory settings.

• Experience in synthesis purification and analysis of small molecules and/or polymeric materials.
• Experience with utilization and design of experiment for in-situ process analytical technology.
• Experience with automated platforms for synthesis.
• Experience in flow chemistry.
• Experience with SMILES and SMARTS notation Python MATLAB JMP statistical software.

Pay Range

$6748 - $7718 Monthly 

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education experience the external labor market and internal equity.

Additional Information :

Position Information

This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee open to those who have been awarded a degree at the time of the employment offer.

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 :

  Intern