Synthetic and Mechanistic Actinide Chemistry Post Doc

Description

What You Will Do

Detailed Description:

The Actinide Chemistry Team in the Chemistry Division is seeking outstanding candidates for a postdoctoral position in actinide chemistry to perform

laboratory research involving the synthesis, mechanistic studies, and characterization of inorganic and organometallic thorium and uranium compounds and materials.

Successful candidates will be joining a multi-disciplinary team that applies synthetic chemistry, mechanistic studies, molecular spectroscopic, and electronic structure theory

to study and manipulate the unusual chemistry performed by actinide element compounds. In this project, synthetic chemistry will be coupled with a combination of theory,

electrochemistry, X-ray diffraction, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies, NMR, IR and Raman vibrational spectroscopies.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated experimental background and strong publication record in organometallic/inorganic (main group, transition metal or f-element) chemical synthesis, characterization, and mechanistic studies.
• Proven in-depth experience in the handling of air- and water-sensitive compounds (Schlenk, inert atmosphere glovebox usage and maintenance, rigorous solvent drying, ligand syntheses).
• A willingness to work with low-level radioactive natural thorium and depleted uranium materials in a rigorous safety environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently, and in a collaborative environment, in a shared laboratory space.
• Demonstrated ability of actively interfacing with both experimental and computational colleagues to assimilate research data and publish the results in journals and reports.
• Proven strong technical and interpersonal communication and language skills both orally and in writing as evidenced by publications and technical presentations at national and/or international conferences.
• Must be highly self-motivated to drive forward the research independently with their own creative ideas, in addition to direction from the mentor's research priorities.
• Demonstrated creative and proactive approach to scientific problem solving.

Desired Skills:

• Demonstrated experience with various electrochemistry, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies, IR and Raman vibrational spectroscopies, X-ray crystallography, multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy, and various chemical software programs.
• Experience in the synthesis and study of the reaction chemistry of metal fluoride and hydride complexes.
• Experience in synthesis and study of the reaction chemistry of low-valent metal compounds/materials.
• Experience in the synthesis of organic compounds, such as demonstrated experience with multi-step syntheses of ligands.

Education: A Ph.D. in chemistry. The candidate must have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of the appointment and be within 5 years of completion of the Ph.D.

Salary: Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $94,500. For more information go to Postdoc Program website at .

Work Environment:

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicant:

Please send a cover letter (guideline: 1 - 2 pages) addressing (point-by-point) how you meet all the minimum job requirements and as many of the desired skills listed when applying for the position.

A current C.V. with the minimum following information/sections is also required:

• Educational background; Degree dates; GPA with scale; Name of advisors.
• Work experience.
• Competitive honors and awards.
• Relevant extracurricular activities.
• Invited presentations (posters and invited talks); Grants; Patents; Peer-reviewed publications; non-peer-reviewed publications.
• Names and complete contact information for 4 references. References will not be contacted without permission from the applicant.

Evaluation of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Only complete applications with a cover letter and C.V. will be considered.

For additional technical inquiries, contact Dr. Jaqueline L. Kiplinger (kiplinger@lanl.gov).

Candidates may be considered for Seaborg or Director's Postdoctoral Fellowships. Outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious J. Robert Oppenheimer, Richard P. Feynman, Darleane Christian Hoffman, or Frederick Reines Fellowships.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic

science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position may be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.#J-18808-Ljbffr