Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy, environment, and security.

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) Instrument Operations Group within the Neutron Scattering Division (NSD) is seeking a Research Associate to establish and maintain robust and reliable operations of neutron scattering instruments at the SNS facility that operates 24/7 during periods of neutron production.  The Research Associate must be cognizant of operational parameters and equipment and provide front line operational support to the scientific programs conducted on those instruments.  The Research Associate will coordinate with beam line staff to develop and maintain beam line operations by optimizing operations procedures, practices, and user manuals and to support a safety-minded and operations-oriented culture among instrument team members.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight and interaction with complex technical equipment and systems associated with neutron instruments to include neutron detectors, data acquisition and visualization systems, sample environment equipment, neutron chopper and vacuum equipment.

• Coordinate the user experiment to include: scheduling, training users in the operation of the instrument, and communicating all information and requirements necessary for a successful experiment.

• Maintain and manage current inventory of all samples associated with experiments performed on the assigned instrument in accordance with policy.Some of the samples will be irradiated and this work may be performed in radiological areas.

• Work with the sample environment group to schedule equipment required for individual experiments.Be fully trained on such equipment so as to provide normal operations support during the course of an experiment.Request corrective maintenance as necessary and provide feedback on equipment performance.

• Coordinate the installation and integration of instrument upgrades needed to improve operations.

• Maintain effective communications with all SNS customers and users, including accelerator groups and instrument scientific staff, to ensure responsive and high quality instrument operations.

The successful candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, with preference given to individuals with chemistry degrees in these fields.

Required

• A strong background in chemistry

• The ability to work with others within a research team including visiting scientists.

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The ORNL Post-Bachelor’s Research Associate Program is administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 36 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age